The secondment programs started by the ScottishEnterprise Foundation (SEF) at the University of Stirling, Scotland, addressthe issue of ageism at work. A model of this program, which identifies issuesof ageism that confront both young and older individuals, is presented. Theprogram's format has the potential for development in a wide range of deliverymodes and with application in many industrial sectors, for a broad range ofbusiness/management disciplines in a variety of cultural environments. The SEFfocuses on the following tasks: (1) identifying and training potentialentrepreneurs; (2) developing more effective Scottish-based, independent smalland medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); (3) developing internationally-orientedScottish SMEs; (4) supporting policy makers, trainers, and advisers in theenterprise development field; and (5) transferring the "enterprise"message to people involved in higher education. The Professional Development Program, the major support program of thefoundation, has two major objectives: competitively priced support forgrowth-oriented small companies and assistance to unemployed managers andgraduates in their searches for new or first careers. The training has ensuredan orientation in such topics as marketing, market research, financialmanagement, manufacturing strategy, quality management, personal development,job hunting techniques, and project management. In 1993, the Department ofEmployment changed the eligibility rules for people joining the programs, andthis brought to the front stage the issue of ageism, particularly as economicrecession increased. The task of creating openings in companies for olderparticipants has not been easy. It is concluded that the program continues toserve managers who need a change of a career at a "certain" age, andfulfills the needs of recent graduates who have difficulties in finding a firstcareer path. The program and its continuing research on ageism have had aneffect on the U.K. government, forcing it to address the issue of agediscrimination. (CBS)
