'Vast untapped talent' | Why one firm wants to hire workers from THIS skills-rich demographic

An accountancy firm is eyeing up ‘a vast, untapped talent pool’ of retired and mature workers as part of a new recruitment drive, which could give valuable workplace experience and mentorship to young staff.

The Times has reported that Azets, the UK’s largest regional accountancy and business advisor to SMEs, wants to “tap into the mature jobs market to fill at least 10 per cent of its 650 job vacancies over the next year.”

The firm, which currently has around 6,500 employees, reportedly hopes to benefit from mentoring and reverse mentoring between staff of different ages and levels of experience. It is offering recruits full-time and part-time contracts and the ability to “work from anywhere”, with positions available in its audit, tax and business advisory divisions, The Times said.

Anna Murphy, Head of Group Resourcing at Azets, said: “While it’s common for top firms to focus only on hiring and developing young, ambitious trainees, there is a vast, untapped talent pool of retired people and those looking to return to work after a break who often aren’t ready to retire or want to progress in their careers while being able to fit work around other commitments.”