The upside of mature workers

The term ‘ageing population’ is thrown around often amidst discussions of the future workforce, and this tends to surround ideas of retirement and job growth in the healthcare industry. However, there isn’t as much dialogue around mature age employees and what they can bring to the table, particularly if they are displaced and seeking other opportunities.

One of the major issues mature jobseekers face is that even though they may have worked in an industry for decades and constantly learned on the job, they might not have a qualification required for a particular role. An example of this could be a veteran reporter, who completed a cadetship before a university degree was necessary to pursue a career in journalism.

So, what exactly are the advantages of hiring someone who has been around for a lot longer than other candidates?

Loyalty

Millennials are renowned for the frequency with which they switch jobs. In the modern marketplace, it is common for a university graduate to work for three or four different employers inside a five-year period, something that would have been unheard of 20 years ago. While the old-fashioned approach of spending decades in a single organisation might have changed, employers would be wise to take on board an older worker instilled with a sense of traditional loyalty.

Balance

Youth and exuberance are invaluable to a company, but so is experience. It pays to have a combination of both, because each demographic has plenty to offer. A fresh graduate might be tech savvy and enthusiastic, but lack the people skills developed by a mature worker over two decades in a professional environment.

Culture

With start-ups and new businesses popping up at a never-before-seen rate, company culture is vital, and it isn’t limited to open plan offices and ping pong tables. For better or worse, people are responsible for influencing culture, and having experienced employees with the capacity to mentor younger co-workers is extremely valuable.