Ageism still rife in IT

Over 35? You're past it.

Almost a quarter of IT professionals, 23 per cent, say they have been denied career opportunities because they are considered too old, according to an exclusive survey by vnunet.com's sister publication Computing.

The joint research with the Co-operative Bank's telephone and internet bank Business Direct suggests that age discrimination is widespread, with contractors and the self-employed feeling particularly victimised.

The survey confirmed that the IT industry is among the most ageist in the UK, claimed Sam Mercer, campaign director of the Employers' Forum on Age.

"In the IT industry an 'older worker' is still defined as someone over the age of 35," she said, adding that the image is based more on myths about the supposed inability of experienced staff to learn new skills, than on reality.

"Once you have institutionalised ageism, older workers are often denied the opportunity to go on training courses," she said. "The IT industry needs to wake up, particularly in view of changing demographics."

Contrastingly, seven per cent of IT professionals feel they are overlooked for jobs because they are too young.