It’s often cited that workers over fifty can have problems finding permanent positions in the workplace, but a new study finds that turning temp may be the answer.
Recruitment and training providers Parity researched the number of contract and permanent jobs filled by their candidates in the last year, and discovered that twice as many of those in the 46-50 age bracket secured temporary positions as permanent ones. Parity also found a similar but less marked effect on the 41-15 age group, and noted that no full-time positions were available for those over the age of 56, while 3.5% of contractors in this age bracket found employment.
Parity Resourcing Solutions MD Dave Pye said it was important to look at contract or temporary positions as a viable option rather than ‘second-best’: “There’s a widely-held perception that contractors or interim staff only work on a temporary basis until they can find a permanent job, however what’s often overlooked is that for many men and women, the decision to be a contractor is a deliberate life style choice. This is particularly the case in markets such as IT, where skills and qualifications are in high demand. Contractors in this sector often benefit from long-term contracts, and also enjoy greater flexibility and rewards relative to their ‘permanent’ colleagues.”
