In recent years, there has been increasing competition between the old and the young for employment. In my opinion, there will be predicaments for both age groups and governments and businesses should adopt inclusive approaches to address this issue.
The major problem faced by younger applicants is that they are less likely to get hired due to a lack of experience in comparison to older, highly experienced professionals. For instance, leadership roles and positions in the customer service industry require extensive experience or strong recommendations from previous employers, which can serve as formidable barriers for young people. Consequently, jobless young people may experience detrimental mental health effects, such as low self-esteem, anxiety, and stress or resorting to criminal activities for financial survival. Conversely, the main concern for older job seekers is that they are viewed unfavorably by employers due to stereotypes regarding their adaptability, willingness, and ability to learn new concepts. For example, an older candidate has a faint chance of getting a position in a technology company which favors a younger employee who might be assumed to be more familiar with digital tools or able to travel to remote areas. As a result, rejected older people may encounter severe financial hardships or suffer from mental health issues such as depression and social isolation.
However, there are various steps that governments and businesses could take to tackle these problems. Firstly, the government could invest in social housing programmes or health insurance for the elderly, which could help to reduce both financial pressure and loss of living standards after retirement. Secondly, businesses could provide role-specific training or expand access to paid apprenticeships and internships for recent graduates, which could help them to gain practical training and develop the qualifications that companies demand for secure employment.
In conclusion, the government and employers could certainly implement a range of measures to enhance financial stability and quality of life for all the unemployed. These initiatives could definitely improve both job opportunities and overall economic growth