Sir, - "There is such a massive increase in the technological industry in Ireland recently that it is becoming more and more difficult for companies to get the young, highly skilled workforce which is one of the attractions for them in this country" (Business section January 26th). The word "young" stands out in that sentence. All too many (but fortunately not all) employers expect employees to have a degree (or two), several years' work experience and to be young as well. Why? Because younger people are cheaper, more malleable, and do not usually have family commitments that will prevent them from doing a 70 or 80 hour working week.
Would such employers stop whinging and dare to take a chance with people over 40 and 50 (still with 15 years of employment left in them). These people are far more mature and balanced in outlook and decision-making. The drawbacks are that the mature employee would have to be paid a bit more, money may have to be spent on re-education, and no longer could there be an insistence on a very long working week. But it's time these whinge-captains of industry realised that investing in an employee is very worthwhile. It pays off in employee loyalty There are enough sectors in Ireland with an established habit of crying wolf, without the technology sector adding its voice. - Yours, etc., Majbritt Christensen,
Ballydowling, Glenealy, Co. Wicklow.