Nana Wereko-Brobby, Editor, 25
On Monday the BBC aired ‘Finished at Fifty?’, a Panorama documentary following four jobless 50-somethings who, after many years of employment, are now faced with a lack of prospects and finding it impossible to get a job.
The media lens has been firmly focussed on the plight of graduates in the wake of the recession, faced with bleak job opportunities and unappealing university costs if they are to return to stydying. However, for those in their 50s, too young to retire and suffering the effects of lay-offs, the situation is bleak. Whilst we worry about our ageing society and the prospect of lengthy retirements for the economy to support, it is easy to forget about those who need and want to work, but are deemed less appealing than their younger, more competitive and tech-savvy counterparts.
Fiona Phillips, former presenter of GMTV (50) had little trouble finding another job after she left. However, as the programme points out, if you lose your job at 55, there’s a strong risk you’re never work again….
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