A recent report by Corndel reveals that employees aged 55 and over are being neglected in workplace skills training opportunities, potentially hindering both their professional growth and the productivity of organisations.
According to the findings, despite comprising one-third of the UK workforce, a significant portion of employees aged 55 and above are being sidelined when it comes to essential training opportunities.
Management and leadership training, crucial for career advancement, are particularly lacking among this demographic.
Shockingly, over half of over 55s surveyed haven’t received any management or leadership training in their current roles.
Gap in technical skills training
The gap in technical skills training is equally alarming. Over half of over 55s haven’t received any training on digital tools and technologies, compared to only 27 percent of younger adults aged 18 to 25. This oversight in crucial areas like digital literacy could leave older workers struggling to keep pace with the rapidly evolving demands of modern workplaces.
Corndel’s Workplace Training Report 2024, based on research with 1,000 UK employees and 250 HR decision-makers, highlights another concerning disparity: employees aged over 55 are the least likely to receive training in ‘human’ management skills such as empathy, mental health awareness, and emotional intelligence.
The report also underscores the value older workers place on professional development. Over half of over 55s deem it important in their decision to remain with an organisation. However, a significant proportion express a lack of confidence in their current skill set, which could impede their ability to pivot careers or find new employment.
“Skills power people and power organisations”
James Kelly, CEO of Corndel, stresses the importance of addressing this issue: “Skills power people and power organisations. Without providing access to adequate training opportunities, we are not allowing this group of the workforce to thrive.”
To combat this trend, Corndel has integrated AI Fundamentals training into its workplace training programs. This initiative aims to empower employees of all ages with essential skills to navigate the evolving technological landscape confidently.
The case study of Robin Razzell, a Data Analyst at Mitie Energy, exemplifies the importance of lifelong learning. Razzell, with over two decades of experience, emphasises the necessity of upskilling to remain relevant in today’s fast-paced work environment.
Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.
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