Employment agency: Older skilled workers in Saxony have a difficult time looking for a job

While the average age of people in Saxony continues to rise, the employment agency warns that older skilled workers are having difficulties finding a job. “They are less likely to become unemployed because of their skills and experience, but once they are unemployed, it is more difficult to get back into employment,” said Klaus-Peter Hansen, head of the regional directorate of the Federal Employment Agency in Chemnitz.

In view of demographic change, older employees are becoming increasingly important for the labor market: according to the regional directorate, almost every fourth employee in Saxony is over 55 years old.

This proportion is likely to grow in the coming years, as shown by data from the State Statistical Office. In the past 15 years, the average age of the population in Saxony has risen by almost ten months to 47.2 years. The Free State is one of the federal states with an above-average population (national average: 45 years).

Because of this development, according to the regional directorate, around 20,000 more people leave working life every year than young people come in. Employers could alleviate the resulting shortage of skilled workers by giving applicants over 55 more opportunities.

In Saxony, the employment group in the 55 to 60 age group is the highest in the country at 71.5 percent. Nevertheless, the regional directorate sees unused potential given the increasing number of unemployed people over the age of 55: According to information, 39,976 people of this age were registered as unemployed in September. Compared to the previous year, there were more than 1,000 more people - even though 80 percent of them were qualified specialists.

“Their experience is actually priceless,” said Hansen. Nevertheless, in Saxony it is often noticed that HR managers in companies struggle to give older people a chance - even though they themselves are often the same age.