Council criticised for not employing enough under-25s
DERBYSHIRE County Council has defended itself against criticism that it does not employ enough people aged under 25.
The authority was among several councils nationwide accused of being "ageist" by Wise Owls – an employment agency which specialises in tackling age discrimination.
The firm asked all county and London borough councils about how many people they employed from different age groups.
Derbyshire County Council said 5.83% of its workers were aged under 25; 62.38% were aged 25 to 40; and 31.78% aged over 60.
A Wise Owls report said the "worst ageism" in the public sector was with the under 25s.
It said: "Over 90% of all county and London borough councils have less than 7% of their workforce represented by this age group."
A county council spokeswoman said the proportion of its workforce aged under 25 was "comparable to other counties". She said: "This is a national issue and one we are addressing in a number of positive ways. Increasing the number of young people in the workforce is a key priority."
She said the council was increasing apprenticeships, removing job requirements which could exclude younger people and promoting the authority at careers events.
Comments
by Peter Piper, Matlock
Monday, April 19 2010, 8:56AM
“I think that DCC are ageist. I work for DCC and at 48, I am going no-where career-wise. DCC will not invest in my future and further qualifications because of my age. They are however, investing in 18-30 year olds who are advancing to senior positions that don¿t match their inexperience or ability. Yet these youngsters are the future for DCC as they are the ones being invested in. They are promoted to senior positions at average age of 23. I, and people like me don¿t get a look in.”