What is it about?
This study explores Kazakhstani employers' attitudes toward hiring younger versus older job candidates. It analyzes labor market data and recruitment trends to understand the challenges and advantages both age groups face. The research sheds light on how age influences employment opportunities in Kazakhstan, with a specific focus on perceived skills, adaptability, and workplace expectations.
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Why is it important?
With aging populations and youth unemployment being global concerns, understanding age-related hiring biases is vital. This study reveals how employers in Kazakhstan often prefer younger employees, despite the rich experience older workers bring. By identifying barriers such as outdated skills and health concerns for older candidates, and a lack of experience for younger ones, the paper offers interesting insights that can guide inclusive labor policies and education reform in emerging economies.
Perspectives
Writing this article allowed us to address a sensitive but pressing issue in Kazakhstan’s labor market. As educators and researchers, we were particularly concerned by the disconnect between employer expectations and the realities of both recent graduates and older job seekers. We hope this paper will encourage further discussion on how to foster intergenerational inclusion in the workplace and push policymakers to rethink recruitment norms and age-related biases.
Dr. Yelena Smirnova
University of Barcelona
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Older experts versus young enthusiasts: whom do Kazakhstani employers prefer?, Quality of Ageing, June 2013, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/14717791311327079.
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