HR firms eager to recruit aged workers!

A recent survey by human resource consultancy firm Manpower Inc shows that a skill shortage is now forcing organisations to recruit older workforce, reports CNBC-TV18.

A talent crunch is causing employers to consider recruiting people over 50 years of age, reveals a survey by Manpower India. It surveyed over 4,700 employers, across seven industry sectors, of which, 14% have specific recruitment strategies for older people. Only 16% of the firms that were interviewed have retention strategies in place, which explains the talent crunch problem.

Out of the seven sectors surveyed, topping the list is public administration and education sector at 20%, with the transportation and utilities sector at a close 17%. Experts feel that employers need to take a second look at their older workforce, as their knowledge and experience can lead to greater profits.

Soumen Basu, Executive Chairman, Manpower India, says, "There is no getting away from the fact that this pool has the knowledge and experience, as well as the expertise to significantly contribute and pay back for all the years that they have been growing up and have been trained".

The survey reveals that while recruitment and retention of people over the age of 50, is the least in the eastern region, employers in the north are the most enthusiastic with 18% employers having such strategies in their organisations. According to the survey, many of the organisations reviewed, are yet to consider the percentage of workforce set to retire in the next five to 10 years. And if they don't act soon, they may fail to win the war for talent.