Ilkley may be in the grip of a 'brain 'drain' with the over 40s lining up to seek job opportunities elsewhere.

And the Ilkley Gazette and Bradford and District Training Enterprise Council(TEC) could be to blame.

John Barker is the Ilkley-based consultant (recruitment and development) of People of Previous Experience (POPE), the TEC's project geared at finding employment for men and women over the age of 40.

Mr Barker is delighted with the response generated by a story of an Ilkley family bound for a new life in America.

Shortly before Christmas last year, the Gazette carried the story of 44-year-old Rod Campbell-Ross and his search for a new job - through POPE.

"That article generated tremendous interest in Ilkley and I have been delighted by the number of people who have inquired about POPE," said Mr Barker.

Mr Barker said it showed the importance of a local newspaper. He said reports had appeared in the Gazette and also a Yorkshire evening paper - but the Gazette article had secured the most impressive response.

More than a dozen people have since contacted POPE and Mr Barker is hopeful he will soon be able to report some more success stories along the lines of Rod Campbell-Ross.

He said Mr Campbell-Ross' case raised the wider question of employment for older people.

"I think people such as Rod realise the world is changing and you have to be prepared to adapt," he said. "People need to realise they can update their skills to satisfy would-be employers," he said.

He said there was a popular misconception that middle-aged people were technology 'phobes'.

On the contrary, he said he had met people who, once introduced to the delights of the Internet, had become 'anoraks'

"Firms have two issues to look at. The first is the demographic time bomb. The number of 25 to 35-year-olds in the job market place is going to drop - however, the number of over 55s will rise," he said.

Mr Barker said firms could also be in trouble if they 'early-retired' large sections of their force. It was only when a particular problem arose that they would realise there was no-one left on the books who had been working at the firm long enough to know how it could be resolved.

POPE involves a one-day induction which is followed by a three-day seminar. The courses are designed to renew people's confidence about finding a new job and to offer practical help on job applications, CVs and interview techniques.

Further information can be obtained on 01274 751307.

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