ABSTRACT
In the context of E. Midwinter's claim, it is appropriate to discuss how and whether secondment programmes initiated by the Scottish Enterprise Foundation (SEF), latterly the Department of Entrepreneurship, at the University of Stirling have a role in addressing the issue of ageism at work. Problems of ageism that graduates face were indicated earlier, but it is probably the inability to obtain the opportunity to acquire appropriate work experience, which most regularly militates against their success in gaining employment. Experience indicates that managers in the 40 plus category, who become redundant for the first time since they started working, find the problem of unemployment immensely difficult to deal with. The Foundation worked with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) at all stages of development from pre-start through birth, growth and maturity to internationalisation. The Foundation's training and development arm, the Business Development Unit (BDU) provided training and consultancy to small businesses.
