US based companies could consider making a dent in the age gap which is presenting a problem for the country's younger people, by using to their advantage the differences which exist between older and younger workers.

Latest statistics from the US government have shown that youths in America are currently suffering from some of the worst levels of employment for years, with the number of people aged between 18 and 24 who are employed in the country having dropped to 54.3 per cent, the lowest since the government started recording these figures in 1948.

The Pew Research Center has also said that most Americans see youth employment as a pressing issue, with a majority of 41 per cent saying that they think young employees have been hit hardest in recent years.

Kim Parker, associate director of Pew's Social & Demographic Trends project, said: "Young workers are on the bottom of the ladder, and during a recession like we've had, it's often hard for them to hold on."

But what can companies do in order to help both younger workers as well as themselves? With an ever aging workforce, it could be the case that, sometime in the future, the labor market sees skilled workers leaving the market, leaving those searching for jobs without relevant experience to do the roles effectively.

Therefore it makes sense for companies to bring younger staff into their organisations now, integrating them with older workers so that they can learn from each other, benefitting the company in the long run.

While it might be the case that younger workers are more productive, they can often lack experience, which they can gain from older employees, who can offer training in skilled jobs, which can only be to the advantage of employers.

A similar notion is currently in act in the EU, where companies are being educated by the European Year of Active Aging. This special year-long event is looking to promote the value to businesses of breaking out of the notion that age is a barrier to working effectively.

Speaking at the launch of the event, Annemarie Muntz, director of group public affairs for Randstad Holding, said that it was important to break the notions and prejudices of age-gaps that exist. Ms Muntz said that older workers can lend experience to youngsters, who can in turn learn about new technologies from their younger colleagues, benefitting their employers on both levels.

Posted by Fiona Summers