The UK faces a skills crisis that could slow down our economy, undermine innovation and leave entire industries in the dark. Most schemes are geared towards getting graduates and young people into apprenticeships or training, but they overlook a valuable and underused resource: experienced professionals.
They bring with them a wealth transferable skills, professional maturity and a solid work ethic. These qualities, paired up with the correct training, could help to bridge the growing skills gap in the UK.
The Myth of the Young Innovator
Let’s dispel a common misconception: Innovation is only the domain of young people. It’s still a stereotype that the young coder with hoodie is creating the next great app. But this is misleading. Although younger workers have been immersed in digital cultures, experienced professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience.
Consider the video game industry. There is a shortage of talent in the video game industry, especially in narrative design, artificial intelligence and project management. The most successful teams have a mix of ages. While new graduates can bring enthusiasm and technical proficiency, they are also more likely to be successful. It may be a junior developer who excels at implementing code. However, it could be a veteran project manager that can guide the team to success during a six-month deadline without burning out.
It’s not just technical expertise that is a problem. The skills shortage is not just about technical know-how.
Why don’t we upgrade the skills of over-40s?
In spite of the obvious benefits, experienced professionals are often overlooked when it comes to training opportunities. City & Guilds’ survey reveals that people aged 55+ are most likely to report having received training over 10 years ago (17%).
There’s an unwavering belief that investing in young talent will yield a higher return. This short-term approach ignores an important reality: a aging workforce. By 2030, 1 in 4 UK workers will be older than 55. We’ll lose a huge pool of talent if we don’t invest in their skills.
Lessons Learned from the Gaming World
Video games are a great example of how upgrading your skills can change careers. The game development industry is constantly evolving, as new platforms, tools, and techniques are introduced. Even seasoned professionals need to constantly update their skillsets in order to stay relevant.
Consider the growth of virtual reality gaming. VR became mainstream in mid-2010s. Many developers, young and old, had to learn a completely new approach to gaming. The studios that invested in educating their veteran staff to use VR tools have reaped rewards. They kept their most experienced employees while successfully switching to a cutting edge market.
This model should be applied to other industries. Employers should not view training as an expense, but rather as an investment to retain talent who already know the nuances of their industry.
Press “start” to start
The UK skills shortage is a complex problem, but we have the solution right in front of us. We can fill in the skills gaps by investing in the potential of experienced professionals.
We often talk about iteration in the video games industry – trying out, learning and improving. We need to apply the same mentality to how we approach workforce development. Let’s get rid of the old idea that young people are the ones who have the skills and let’s start advancing the professionals ready to take the lead. It’s vital for the future of UK economy.
