tree surgeons are 'too old to go up trees'

[WirralBoy]

A BBC News item :-

Urgent solutions are being sought to a council's ageing workforce after warnings that its tree surgeons are "too old to go up trees".

A report for Gateshead Council showed 29% (1,494) of its employees are aged 55 to 64.

Only 12% (614) of workers are aged 25 to 34 and the authority is now advertising apprenticeships to try to recruit more young people.

A mere 5% (242) of the authority's staff are aged between 16 and 24 . 

The report to the overview and scrutiny committee illustrated a shortage of younger workers the departments of environment and fleet, property and assets, and integrated social care. 

Blaydon councillor Steve Ronchetti told the committee: "If you look at the tree surgeons, they are too old to go up trees now and consequently the council has to bring in contractors to do the tree work, just when they are at their most expensive.

"The other thing is, looking at the age profile you're going to see over the next 10 years a massive pressure on the pension scheme."

The Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed the current situation presented "challenges for the council in relation to succession planning to ensure that services have staff with the right skills and experience to deliver an effective service".

The environment and fleet department has introduced an arborist apprenticeship.

Dunston and Teams councillor Dot Burnett told the committee: "We have got to identify what the issues are around recruiting people and if it's because of pay or conditions we have got to look at it.

"If we are going to look at the age profile, we need to have a look at the whole situation as far as employment is concerned."

Four social worker apprentices have been created and recruitment is ongoing for three adult social care employees.

An urban driver apprenticeship is being offered to 12 employees in the highways and waste services department.

Officers are also looking at five-year plans to ensure adequate numbers of apprentices for the construction arm of the council.

 

BBC LINKY :-

 

Gateshead's tree surgeons are 'too old to go up trees'

WWW.BBC.CO.UK

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Gateshead Council is paying contractors to work on its trees because of its ageing workforce.

 

[skyhuck]

IME council workers don't tend to be shining examples of heathy living. Obviously a sweeping generalisation, but a great many "working" blokes really let themselves go and as they work for council they can't be held accountable for their lack of productivity. 

 

 I would bet a good few of the "expensive" contractors are not spring chickens.

[Mick Dempsey]

When you see the money the councils are offering it’s not much surprise that the younger guys are going to the private sector.

 

Edited April 6, 2022 by Mick Dempsey

[Gardenscape]

Some of those council top boys need their heads bashing against a brick wall. Knock some sense into them. Pay them more money you clowns!

Edited April 6, 2022 by Gardenscape

[Patrick goulding]

I blame government if they let people retire sooner there wouldn’t be the amount of older generations working still. It’s like us younger generations will have to work till we’re 70. It’s alright if your sat on your arse in parliament or you do a less strenuous job. That my opinion on it all 👍 

[Mark Bolam]

Brilliant Patrick, because the pensions are free aren’t they?

[Patrick goulding]

I’ve been paying all my contributions since leaving school same as every other working man but it doesn’t mean am going to get it. It’s most likely I’ll be in ground. 

[Patrick goulding]

1 hour ago, Mark Bolam said:

Brilliant Patrick, because the pensions are free aren’t they?

What I’m getting at if the retirement age was lower a lot more people would retire but a lot of people can’t because they ain’t got the money then you have the poor sods who have worked all there life comes to retirement but they are to old to enjoy or end up passing away. It’s never right. It’s all just wrong 😑 

[Mark Bolam]

I get you now mate, and I agree.

 

The problem is the government pension scheme is completely outdated.

You were meant to retire at 65, live for 5 more years, then die.

[Patrick goulding]

That’s sounds a bit like me but it will be over 70 if I get that far I don’t think you will have much left in tank body will be about had it. and you haven’t  really got that long left to enjoy money your nearly at the end of your life im 33 and it’s like that now what’s it going to be like for my kids? And younger generations than me? It’s a joke.

Edited April 6, 2022 by Patrick goulding