The National Statistics Office last Wednesday published data with regard to employment for the month of December. Those who want to see the glass half full will argue that the number of unemployed people decreased by 724, when compared to the same period a year earlier. However, those who want to see the glass half empty will insist that the number of people registering for work increased by 186, when compared to the previous month – November.

That is the funny side of statistics – everyone interprets the numbers as it suits them best.

But there is more to statistics that just numbers – these numbers represent individuals, many of whom have families to support. Each and every person registering for work, especially those who have been without a job for weeks or months, is going through a very traumatic period in his or her life.

Not all cases are genuine. You can still find people who are registering for work and yet have a job on the side. In this respect, the Employment and Training Corporation is doing well to investigate and stop those who are abusing the system.

But there are still many people who are unemployed for various reasons. Some find it harder than others to find a job, especially if job opportunities are rare or they do not have the skills required.

Last Wednesday, the NSO reported that 2,237 of those registering for work, or 30 per cent of the total, were under 24 years of age. Another 1,954, or 26 per cent of the total, are aged 45 and over.

Just because they are out of a job, it does not mean they do not want to work – so they deserve as much help as possible to find employment. The younger people have a better chance of finding a job because generally speaking, employers are more likely to employ young people, rather than those who are close to retirement age.

Of course, people aged 45 still have many years ahead of them in the labour market, but the truth is that they find it harder to get a job.

This happens for several reasons. From the employers’ perspective, it seems that they are more reluctant to employ a 45-year-old because it is easier to “mould” a young employee into the system, rather than one who has had a wider work experience. Employees, on the other hand, may be more reluctant to learn new skills than a young man or woman who is offered his or her first job.

The middle ground, in this case, would be an ideal scenario. Employers should be more open to the idea of employing older workers who would bring with them valid work experience. The “older” employees should then be more open to retraining – sometimes in skills that they are not accustomed to – to increase their chances of being employed.

We are not suggesting that the older age group of unemployed people should receive preferential treatment. Even these have families to support and particular needs. Thus, like everyone else, even they find it frustrating when no jobs are available.

But employers should not close the door to people aged 45 or older just because of their age. If these people are prepared, if needs be, to learn new methods and new skills and adapt to new circumstances, then they should be given the chance to work.

As psychologist Patrick Psaila said at an Employment and Training Corporation seminar for the unemployed over 45 years of age this week, “you must be ready to learn something new”. Once unemployed people in this age group understand this principle and are prepared to “learn something new”, their chances of finding suitable employment will be greater.

At the same time, employers should be more willing to take on older employees if the latter are eager to adjust to what would be a new job.