Hiring older people 'could boost productivity'

Older workers "bring a lot of experience" and could help the Jersey economy become more productive, according to a business consultant.

It comes after a report from Statistics Jersey said more than a quarter of the island's workforce was aged 55 and over.

The figures suggest of those employed 25.3% at the end of December 2024 were aged 55 and over, up from 21.1% at the same time in 2019.

Business consultant Kevin Keen said the rise indicated the island's population was ageing and employers needed to be open to employing more older workers as a way to boost productivity.

Mr Keen said: "One of the issues that he island has got is we've got an ageing population and, when people stop working, there is a need to have more immigration to get jobs done.

"If they don't, our economy becomes less productive.

"One way [to increase productivity] is to encourage more people to work."

The Statistics Jersey report said the largest change in the number of people employed was in the 65-and-over age group, which increased by 51% between 2019 and 2024.

It said the largest decline in employment was in the 20 to 24 age group, which was down by 16% over the same period.

Mr Keen, who has held a number of senior posts in Jersey businesses, said there were benefits to hiring older workers.

"There's a lot of experience out there and so taking on older workers can bring a lot of experience," he said.

"They can be more flexible - they don't need school holiday time off and things like that.

"Very often they are working because they want to and not because they have to."

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