Open up skills-based courses for older people

THERE is a growing number of people who are left out in the cold when it comes to further education and career opportunities. I am referring to older adults who would like to learn new skills or enrol for a course of study to improve their chances of returning to the work force. What options are available to them? Almost none.

The government has raised the retirement age to 60 to encourage Malaysians to work longer and save more for their retirement. But once older employees have left the work place, getting back is a huge challenge. Almost all doors are closed to them, no thanks to ageism being alive and well in both the public and corporate sectors.