Wise Owls Research into ageism training and employment

1. Wise Owls Research into ageism training and employment Wise Owls has been conducting research in age, employment and training issues for over 9 years now. We have carried out 3 research projects on behalf of the UK’s learning and skills council in London, between 2003 and 2005 into the situation and needs of older working age people and into the attitudes and behaviour of employers

2. Research into older people & employment • Following the quantitative research carried out using random sampling of 1000 respondents (using telephone and face to face questioning) from our ‘population’ of older working age people without work, we then carried out qualitative research using focus groups and 1-2-1 interviews to get in more depth information. These figures were then inputted using SSPS software enabling us to produce cross referenced statistics.

3. Research into employer attitudes and behaviour • We have also carried out research into employer attitudes and behaviour in relation to older people and other equality groups using both quantitative research ( 400 random telephone interviews with the ‘population’ of sub-regional SMEs, again followed up with in-depth 121 interviews with representatives of different employer groups.

4. Research methodology • It is important to get statistically valid research information – which is why you need a sufficient number of respondents, chosen at random from a data base drawn from the target population – such as a telephone directory, a list of all local businesses etc. The questions themselves should be tested in advance from a small sample of the target population. The inputting should be recorded on software enabling cross referencing between different types of respondent. Finally it should have qualitative focus groups and / or 121 interviews to explore the reasons behind particular responses. • Research which draws from self selecting group is of less statistical validity but can provide both evidence of claims being made or for funding applications plus enable policy making.

5. Common results • There has been a common thread running through research we have carried out which shows that there is a high level of ageism experienced by older U.K. people looking for work. Ageism exists in many sectors, such as the recruitment industry as well as other particular sectors – like I.T., marketing and media as well as industries which involve a lot of physical activity. But not for all people employed there – like construction, police etc. also there is high levels of dissatisfaction with the support offered by the government employment service

6. Common employer responses • Our research has shown that SME employers tend to be less prejudiced against older people than large companies, but that amongst personnel officers and managers – who tend to be under 40 there is considerable negative pre judgement. Other disadvantaged groups suffer greater employer prejudice – youth, people with disabilities in particular. There remain certain entrenched myths relating to older people – more expensive, IT illiterate, tend to ill health and infirmity, inflexible – all of which can be shown to be wrong – through personal practical experience and / or statistically.

7. Client responses and feedback • We have been carrying out regular research with clients – both online and as part of our initial registration, advice and guidance sessions into their experiences and needs. It is useful to try to capture these in summary form so that they can be turned into statistical information. However often the greatest impact is by using personalised or idealised experiences / case studies – for media and PR use. • Having regular questionnaires on the website is useful in capturing information about your clients / visitors and also gives some degree of interactivity for them to participate with us in these exercises • Trends can be both recognised and then measured- such as for us the rise in the number of managerial and professional older people becoming unemployed.

8. Use of research • Research is not good if it just sits there in a document folder. • It is important to be able to summarise results and conclusions in a way that makes sense to the media , to politicians and decision makers so that it can make an impact. • Finally disseminating the research by targeted distribution of the findings, followed up by targeted telephone calls to make a greater impact • Research in itself can also be used as a basis for conferences, presentations and as elements of conferences – to the media, parliamentarians, decision makers, academics, employers and as a support for campaigns

9. Future ideas for PEOPLE research • To carry out agreed common research using similar questionaires aimed at the same target populations • To carry similar research on all our websites • To build a research library of secondary research material nationally and pan EU. • To explore the realities behind myths of older workers • To develop human stories and case studies • To produce common reports, conclusions and recommendations in a timed and integrated way