older recruits
Older Recruits
Vocabulary
| embark | trade (2) | drafting |
| proud | decide | apprentice |
| trainee | promise | challenge (2) |
| recruit | combat | shortage |
| after all | personal | personnel |
| tap in | prompt | out of necessity |
| provide | potential | placement |
| loyalty | empathy | enormous |
| aware | disposal | decline |
| seize | strength |
Video: Never Too Old to Learn
Transcript
Doris Tull is actually a trained draftswoman. But she only worked in that profession for a few years before becoming a mother.
Now over 50, she’s embarking on a new career.
That first means learning the baker’s trade as an apprentice.
Doris Tull: “I’m proud that I’m still able to do this at my age, and that I decided to take it on. It’s a huge challenge.”
Doris Tull is one of 17 mature trainees at the company which has promised to take them on if they pass their exams.
The chain has been actively recruiting older trainees to combat the shortage of skilled workers.
Orinna Krefft-Ebner, Personnel Manager: “It started out of necessity because we were unable to fill all our trainee positions. We had to come up with an alternative. After all, learning a trade is about individual character, not age.”
Society’s aging population is becoming a problem for many companies. And that prompted the Saarland Company to start up a model project.
Employers receive financial support for training older people. And there’s a lot more potential to tap in the older generation in Germany
Birgit Steiner, Job Placement Officer: “They provide so much professional and personal experience: empathy, loyalty and they have an enormous amount of knowledge at their disposal. Plus they are very aware of the importance of having a job.”
Experience is a strength that does not decline with age. Doris Tull is glad to feel useful again. It’s never too late to seize a new opportunity.
Questions
1. This Doris’ first job. True or false? What is her story?
2. The bakery is recruiting older people. Why is the bakery recruiting older people?
3. Is there a large potential of older workers?
4. The government gives subsidies to companies that recruit older workers. Is this correct or wrong? Why does the government give financial support?
5. Do older workers have good qualities?
6. What will happen in the future?
A. I know some older people without (proper, full-time) work. Yes or no?
B. Is it easy or difficult for older people to start new careers? Why is it difficult for older workers?
C. Is there a demographic change in your country? What is taking place?
