Grandfather, 77, says he's turned down for repeated jobs due to ageism
A grandfather and ex-airforce officer says he has been turned down for 60 jobs due to his age.
David Diprose, 77, has been looking for a job since he was 65 to give him something to do but has been unsuccessful, despite having a maths degree and having worked as an officer in the airforce.
aHe said he has got through to interviews but believes that was only to "satisfy age quotas" and is calling for a change in attitude towards employing older people.
His comments come after work and pensions secretary Mel Stride, 61, last week said that over-50s should consider delivering takeaways as part of the government's push to get people back to work.
Diprose, who now lives in Thames, Oxon, said: "The assumption is old people, they're no good – and should ride a bicycle.
"It is silly to assume that those over a certain age have no skills other than riding a bicycle. It’s insulting."
Diprose retired as an officer in the airforce in 2007, teaching at a school before moving to Wales and then to Thame, Oxon, to help look after his grandchildren.
As they got older, he started looking to get back into work but struggled to find a role.
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He claimed he applied for 50 to 60 jobs in middle management roles with salaries of between £30,000 and £50,000, which he felt he was "capable" and qualified for.
He said: "You are asked to state your age. I put down 77 and the drawbridge folds in front of front of you.
"I have discovered that a considerable amount of recruitment is done through agencies and I found that many would not even take me onto their books as soon as I said that I was over 70."
"After the age of about 55 I found that I was getting to interview only to satisfy ‘age quotas’."
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He said he would pass tests for applications with flying colours but then would not be taken seriously at interview - and the "final straw" was discovering that some recruiters were not even reading his CV.
"I was told in one interview I wasn’t a team player on the feedback – but I have 25 years experiences in the air force," he added.
"They hadn’t looked at my CV and seen that.
"It’s frustrating - this sitting on the side-lines. I’d like to see the government promoting the idea the people of my age have skills that can be employed - rather than saying you can ride a bike."
The 77-year-old has now given up applying for jobs and has spent five years volunteering at schools teaching maths.
He has now gained temporary work through the government national tutoring programme scheme (NTP) and is a registered private maths tutor – but currently has no students.
He said he feels "side-lined" and branded the work and pension secretary’s comments "ignorant" and "insulting".
"There are a number of people over 60 who are physically and mentally active," he added.
"They keep saying about the cost of pensions. If I was in work I wouldn’t have to be claiming my pension.
I’m reading so much about jobs that can’t be filled. If there was more encouragement perhaps jobs could be filled by people that are not considered at the moment."
Top part-time job ideas for over-50s
Despite concerns of ageism preventing over-50s from getting certain jobs, online advice suggests there is a wide range of opportunities in various sectors for those who want to stay in work.
According to Rest Less, more and more people in their 50s, 60s and beyond are starting part-time careers, either to top up their pensions, to stay active, or to learn some skills.
Rest Less compiled a list of 15 popular part-time jobs for the over-50s, including tutoring, childcare, driving, dog walking and consulting.
The other occupations listed by Rest Less were:
Hair and beauty
Transition from full-time to part-time hours in your current role
Fitness instructor or personal trainer
Rent out your home
Small business owner
Travel agent or advisor
Freelance work
Admin
Retail
Film and TV extra
