0:00:02 > 0:00:04Most of us look forward to retiring in our 60s,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08but as the pension age rises, that's all about to change.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10I've got five grandchildren, and are you seriously telling me
0:00:10 > 0:00:14they're going to have to retire in their late 70s?
0:00:14 > 0:00:17It potentially gets even worse than that.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20To see what this future looks like,
0:00:20 > 0:00:24we sent a group of pensioners back to work.
0:00:26 > 0:00:29From building apartments...
0:00:29 > 0:00:31Shouldn't be doing this at my age. Ridiculous.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33- Oh!- '..to selling them.'
0:00:33 > 0:00:37That's the most disastrous viewing I have ever done.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41A factory production line took its toll.
0:00:41 > 0:00:4375. She's past it.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45Be REALLY careful, they're hot.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48But the restaurant worked out better.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Oh, my God, bless!
0:00:50 > 0:00:52It's just been great. I seem to have managed it all.
0:00:52 > 0:00:57Now the pensioners left standing face real-life competition -
0:00:57 > 0:01:00young jobseekers desperate for work.
0:01:00 > 0:01:03The employers should employ the younger people.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06I think with an older person, they're going to struggle.
0:01:06 > 0:01:08'How will they compare?'
0:01:08 > 0:01:09I felt he was a little bit cocky.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12She's one of them people that doesn't like to be wrong.
0:01:12 > 0:01:16- Do you not think any job might be boring?- Not that boring.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19And who will their bosses want to hire?
0:01:19 > 0:01:21In my eyes, she's a waste of time.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23Unfortunately, we wouldn't be offering you anything at all.
0:01:39 > 0:01:44One week in, only half our pensioners are left,
0:01:44 > 0:01:47but many of those remaining are hoping to land REAL jobs
0:01:47 > 0:01:50at the end of this week.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53I certainly do feel well.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57For some unknown reason, although I've been working every day,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59I seem to have more energy.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02'My life before was quite quiet.'
0:02:02 > 0:02:07This has completely opened my eyes to something else.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Well, listen, so far, so good, Margaret.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16These OAPs may have lasted this long, but I have serious doubts
0:02:16 > 0:02:22whether they're going to be able to hack yet another week of those early mornings. I'm not sure.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26Well, I don't agree. They've had a lifetime of getting up early, they're used to it,
0:02:26 > 0:02:31and I think some of them are really serious about getting back into work long-term, despite their age.
0:02:31 > 0:02:33But there's a big "if", isn't there?
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Will ANYBODY offer them a job at the end of all this?
0:02:37 > 0:02:39That's the question.
0:02:41 > 0:02:46To see if our pensioners really can cope in the modern workplace,
0:02:46 > 0:02:48we're going to introduce some competition.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55This week, they'll be up against jobseekers
0:02:55 > 0:02:58who are desperate to get into work.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04With youth unemployment at record levels,
0:03:04 > 0:03:09their main rivals in the real world just happen to be 50 years younger.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14In Preston, almost one in three youngsters can't find work,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17so these volunteers are glad of the chance.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24- Hi, Ashley.- Hi, you all right? - Come and have a seat.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27- Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you, too.- Good. Good to see you again.
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- Are you hard-working? - Very hard-working, yeah.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32I'm the sort of person who'd love to do 60-80 hour weeks if I could.
0:03:32 > 0:03:35I want to show people I work with that I'm willing and I can work
0:03:35 > 0:03:39and that I'm as capable as anyone who's got 20 years' experience or 40 years' experience,
0:03:39 > 0:03:41and that's what I'm hoping to put across.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45- Nothing wrong your CV, Margaret, do you think?- No, it's a very good CV.
0:03:45 > 0:03:48I've worked in nightclubs very late at night,
0:03:48 > 0:03:51I've worked milk rounds in the morning, day jobs, 13-hour shifts.
0:03:53 > 0:03:58I've been looking for work since November. I've never had feedback off a CV that I've handed out,
0:03:58 > 0:04:00or a phone call I've made, or an e-mail being sent.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03The thing about CVs, actually, Jodie, is that
0:04:03 > 0:04:08you should try spell-check from time to time.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- That's actually embarrassing, that. - Do you know what I mean?
0:04:11 > 0:04:14What are you offering a prospective employer?
0:04:14 > 0:04:18I'm going to turn up and I'm going to be on time and get the job done.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21- Are you punctual?- Erm...
0:04:21 > 0:04:25I'm not great at keeping time, but I'm organised,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28I'm all that kind of stuff.
0:04:28 > 0:04:31Do you really want this opportunity that's coming this week?
0:04:31 > 0:04:35Yeah, I've put a lot into trying to find a job, and now I've got this, I need to put 110% into it.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39And if you're offered a job at the end of this week, would you take it?
0:04:39 > 0:04:41Yeah.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Straight away.
0:04:46 > 0:04:50The big difference immediately apparent is that the pensioners
0:04:50 > 0:04:53know what's expected of them in the workplace.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55They know how to behave, they know how to dress.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58Some of these ones have got a steep learning curve.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02If I were an employer and I was confronted by that young group,
0:05:02 > 0:05:08and by the pensioners that I've met, what would I think?
0:05:08 > 0:05:10I think some of those pensioners
0:05:10 > 0:05:13are going to give these youngsters a run for their money.
0:05:20 > 0:05:24- DOG BARKS - Dawn, Monday morning.
0:05:26 > 0:05:30The factory workers are due in first at 7.50.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33I didn't want to get out of bed this morning.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36I was nice and cosy in bed, and my body was saying,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39"No, have another five minutes!
0:05:40 > 0:05:42But I got up.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48Two of our pensioners are returning to work on the building site.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53- HE MUTTERS - It's just absent-mindedness.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58We'll be there in about seven minutes, I reckon.
0:06:00 > 0:06:04I don't drive like a 70-year-old, if you know what I mean.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I still drive like I were when I were a young lad.
0:06:09 > 0:06:15At the factory, returning pensioner Barbara will be competing against two young men.
0:06:16 > 0:06:1918-year-old Lee is the first to arrive.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23I'm very desperate to get a job right now,
0:06:23 > 0:06:27because, it's like, I just want a job, really.
0:06:30 > 0:06:31- OK, morning.- Hiya.
0:06:31 > 0:06:35Right, Lee, you've got to pick your ginger up,
0:06:35 > 0:06:39put it on in all these gaps, as many pieces as you can.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42Just keep it full, all right?
0:06:42 > 0:06:43Lee left school at 16.
0:06:43 > 0:06:48His last job was stacking shelves in a supermarket.
0:06:48 > 0:06:50All right, I'm going to leave you for five minutes
0:06:50 > 0:06:52- and then I'll come back and check on you, all right?- Yeah.- OK.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01'At the building site, the first young man to arrive is aspiring plumber, Ashley.'
0:07:02 > 0:07:06The job market in plumbing at the moment is...there isn't one.
0:07:06 > 0:07:08'No-one seems to be actually taking anyone on.
0:07:08 > 0:07:10'It's a very tight sector at the moment.'
0:07:10 > 0:07:14'He's not keen on the elderly taking jobs he could have.'
0:07:14 > 0:07:16'It's just wrong.'
0:07:16 > 0:07:20With an older person who's doing it, they might be a bit grumpy cos they're having to be at work
0:07:20 > 0:07:22'and they're not as energetic cos they're slow-moving,
0:07:22 > 0:07:24'and they're going to struggle, struggle massively.'
0:07:24 > 0:07:27Young people have an awful lot to offer.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31'You're open-minded, fresh, and you bring a lot of energy to site.'
0:07:32 > 0:07:35But at the chocolate factory,
0:07:35 > 0:07:39our second youngster, Sam, arrives 40 minutes late.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Right, young man, and you are?
0:07:44 > 0:07:46Nice to meet you. Sam.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- I'm Ray.- Nice to meet you. - Little bit late, Sam!
0:07:49 > 0:07:51I didn't know what time I was starting, to be honest.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58If you just want to come through a minute and we'll get you sorted out.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06- Not a very good start.- I know.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08Not a very good start at all, you know, obviously.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Let yourself down a bit.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Your mate's here on time and you're not. OK?
0:08:14 > 0:08:16'We'll see how he goes on.'
0:08:17 > 0:08:21He's started on minus points, if you know what I mean, really.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24He's got to sort of turn it round, create a good impression.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28All right, Sam?
0:08:28 > 0:08:31- I'm going to show you what job you're going to be doing.- Cool.
0:08:31 > 0:08:36Sam is 19. He left school three years ago and still lives at home.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- Geraldine, this is Sam.- Hello, Sam. - Sam, this is Geraldine.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43He's going to be working with you, helping you on cases.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46'Sam and Lee have every chance to land a job here.'
0:08:47 > 0:08:52The first week revealed this work suits younger workers better than the over 70s.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59Barbara is the ONLY pensioner who's returned this week.
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Oh, God!
0:09:05 > 0:09:08The others couldn't cope with the fiddly nature of the tasks,
0:09:08 > 0:09:11and even Barbara still needs to improve.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18If you just try...
0:09:20 > 0:09:21'I'm trying, I'm trying.'
0:09:21 > 0:09:24Got to give me points for trying!
0:09:25 > 0:09:31Despite being late, Sam's speed allows him to catch up rapidly.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34'He's doing very well.'
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Youngsters do pick things up quicker.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41So, yes, he has picked it up quick.
0:09:44 > 0:09:45I think he'll do great.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51I'm really looking forward to working in the chocolate factory.
0:09:51 > 0:09:54It's going to be a really good experience for me.
0:09:54 > 0:10:00Some people might think working in a chocolate factory for years on end is like a life leading nowhere,
0:10:00 > 0:10:02but I don't see it as that.
0:10:02 > 0:10:04I'm doing the hours, I'm getting paid from it.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07I can buy a flat, I can buy a car, I can...
0:10:07 > 0:10:09I've always got that behind me then.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11'And I'm not going anywhere at the moment.'
0:10:13 > 0:10:17Today, over one million young people are looking for work.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21The highest number since records began.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25Will this problem get worse if older workers keep their jobs for longer?
0:10:27 > 0:10:31So, Steve, do you think that the economy is now able to
0:10:31 > 0:10:35- take on huge numbers of older workers?- I don't believe so, no.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38And actually, I don't believe it's a good thing
0:10:38 > 0:10:41that the older age group of 70-year-olds, as an example,
0:10:41 > 0:10:44are essentially forced back into work.
0:10:44 > 0:10:49It will stop the younger age group getting their first jobs,
0:10:49 > 0:10:51earning some money, buying their first house.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56The economy, generally, will, in the long run, suffer.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58In here we have our CVs.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03Most people who come to me for jobs are between the ages of 18-24.
0:11:03 > 0:11:05You've got a whole generation of youngsters
0:11:05 > 0:11:09who are genuinely desperate and keen to work.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16At San Marco's, an Italian restaurant,
0:11:16 > 0:11:21the owners had never dreamt of employing workers in their 70s, until now.
0:11:23 > 0:11:28The oldest person they had ever hired was in their 40s.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Need to put me a big veggie in as well.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37But now, they've got 73-year-old John starting his second week
0:11:37 > 0:11:39as a kitchen porter.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41Steak Diane...
0:11:41 > 0:11:44John's been a warrior. He's been relentless, he's not stopped.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47His work ethic, his dedication, his pace,
0:11:47 > 0:11:50and he's like a trooper, there's no stopping him.
0:11:50 > 0:11:52Right, a few of you.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55- Everything OK?- Yes, thank you. - Fine, thanks.- Good.
0:11:55 > 0:11:59Last week, 76-year-old widow Ruth
0:11:59 > 0:12:02found she preferred working here to being at home.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- It's great and I just like meeting people.- Yeah. Lovely. - You know, it's great.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08Can I bring you the menus, for a sweet? Do you want a sweet?
0:12:08 > 0:12:10- Oh, go on, then! - SHE LAUGHS
0:12:10 > 0:12:14You know, I'm still enjoying it, I don't want to pack it in,
0:12:14 > 0:12:15you know, not yet!
0:12:18 > 0:12:19- Let me get it for you.- No.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22- No, no, no, no, no, it's dangerous. - No, no good, no.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25- Shall I carry one or not? Or will you take it for me? - I take for you.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29- OK, 14.- 14, I go with this for 14, yeah?- Right.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32I think I'm a little weakling. I can't carry that tray like that.
0:12:32 > 0:12:34SHE LAUGHS
0:12:37 > 0:12:40I'd like a nice glass of Sauvignon Blanc. Is that OK?
0:12:40 > 0:12:42Yeah.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46Carlo is more used to hiring people like new arrival, Jodie.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50I used to work in a cafe and I did enjoy it.
0:12:50 > 0:12:54I like meeting new people and obviously
0:12:54 > 0:12:56people are in and out all the time
0:12:56 > 0:12:58so you get to see new faces constantly.
0:12:58 > 0:13:01But she still has plenty to learn.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Meringue, panettone and...
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Tiramisu. Tiramisu, panettone.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09- Tinamisu?- Tiramisu.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Tinamis...?- Correct. - Mousse, yeah, tinamousse?
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Jodie's not eaten out too often in establishments that are
0:13:15 > 0:13:17mid to high end, I don't know.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19Ti-na-mousse?
0:13:19 > 0:13:20Ti-ra, rah.
0:13:20 > 0:13:21- 'But she's keen to learn.' - Tira...
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Slowly, slowly, she'll get the hang of it.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27Tira-mousse, -misousse?
0:13:27 > 0:13:29Tiramisousse?
0:13:29 > 0:13:30SHE CHUCKLES
0:13:30 > 0:13:31Thank you.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35There's one thing Carlo's NOT thrilled about.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40Can that lip piercing come out? Does it unscrew or does it go?
0:13:40 > 0:13:43It does but it might close up.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- Right, OK. You've never taken it out before?- No, not this one.- Right.
0:13:46 > 0:13:47Particularly myself.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51I like to treat everyone the same. A couple of girls have nose studs and take them out for work.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53If there's a mirror, then I can try.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58I don't even know if I'm going to be able to do this.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04I really can't.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09Jodie promises to sort it out after her shift.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14So what we'll do, we'll get Ruth to get hers done as well.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17JODIE LAUGHS Then you won't stand out!
0:14:20 > 0:14:23- How you doing, kid? - I'm all right, actually.
0:14:23 > 0:14:25I feel like, you know, a bit out of place at the moment.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28Well, nah, don't worry, don't worry, cos I did at first.
0:14:28 > 0:14:30- Yeah.- Being that much older.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35It's the end of lunchtime at the factory.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41I'm just going to check in changing rooms. Is anyone in?
0:14:41 > 0:14:46Sam, who was late this morning, has now vanished.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49We are missing a member of the team. Sam hasn't come back after dinner.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54I don't know his reasons for leaving,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56because he hasn't said anything to anybody.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01We discover he's gone back home.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04DIRECTOR: What happened this morning, Sam?
0:15:28 > 0:15:30What are you going to say to people who are like,
0:15:30 > 0:15:32"I'm just not sure if I believe you or not?"
0:15:43 > 0:15:49To be quite honest, I just found the attitude surprising.
0:15:49 > 0:15:55I just expected that he'd come in and he'd be willing to give it a go,
0:15:55 > 0:15:57and, as we've explained to him,
0:15:57 > 0:16:00there are vacancies later on in the year.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07The first day is nearly over at the building site.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11OK, Michael, you'll soon pick it up.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14- But, like, measurements, add up other measurements?- Yep.
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Retiree George has been asked to mentor teenager Michael this week.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- One there. - Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Yep, one there, we'll have to reach it.
0:16:23 > 0:16:26They're working on a two man job constructing the ceilings.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31This is Michael's first ever job.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34He was kicked out of school after falling out with a teacher.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40My teachers were all not really the cleverest of people.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44They didn't do their job properly, so I don't regret that part,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46but I do regret coming out with no GCSEs.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50I'm pretty desperate for a job cos it's annoying being skint
0:16:50 > 0:16:53all the time, so I am pretty desperate for a job.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55If you tuck the drill tight to your body,
0:16:55 > 0:16:57so all your muscle here is tight,
0:16:57 > 0:17:00you'll find it's less stressful on your arm.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Considering the age difference and we didn't know each other
0:17:03 > 0:17:05from today, he's got on quite well.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07So I think he'll be OK. I'm certain he will.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09I think we'll make something of him, this lad.
0:17:12 > 0:17:17Down the corridor, the new plumbing team's teenager Ashley...
0:17:18 > 0:17:20..and Roy.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27They have to fit water pipes across two flats by the end of the week.
0:17:32 > 0:17:33On a scale of one to ten,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36my motivation on this job is definitely 11.
0:17:36 > 0:17:40I need, I want to impress, I want to show that I'm capable.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42You know, if I am offered a job at the end of it,
0:17:42 > 0:17:45then I'll be more than pleased with myself.
0:17:52 > 0:17:54There's no way I'd do this in my 70s.
0:17:56 > 0:17:57I wouldn't reach...
0:17:57 > 0:18:00I'm 71 now, I don't think I'd reach 72.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02They'd put be putting me in a box, wouldn't they?
0:18:02 > 0:18:04It's ridiculous.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Anyway, I'll see the job through,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10and then you'll see me cartwheeling through the entrance.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14In the future, there may be many more people like Roy
0:18:14 > 0:18:18who don't want to work into their 70s, but have to.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21He's a widower who lives alone.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24And by the time I get home at night,
0:18:24 > 0:18:29obviously I'm tired, so I can't do what I would normally do,
0:18:29 > 0:18:34and my house is not up to usual standard, it's been neglected.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37I'm going to be living like a peasant if I keep working here.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39I'm going to get evicted by the council!
0:18:42 > 0:18:44- Yeah.- Yeah?
0:18:44 > 0:18:45That's brilliant, mate, yeah.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47Well done, mate, yeah, very good.
0:18:47 > 0:18:48Belting.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50All right, crack on.
0:18:51 > 0:18:53I've enjoyed working with you today.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55I've enjoyed working with you, as well, George.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57- Yeah, a bit of fun.- I know, yeah.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01I've not really been at work for a while, but I have enjoyed it,
0:19:01 > 0:19:03like, it's been a good day.
0:19:03 > 0:19:05One thing's certain - I can't finish this roof
0:19:05 > 0:19:08without you being here, it's as simple as that. You're part of the team.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10- Yeah, we should get it done tomorrow.- Yeah.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Right, that's grand, that's good.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Work's over at the factory.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21After losing one new recruit so quickly,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24the supervisor wants to check the other is still happy.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30I'm just wondering, now you got to the end of the first day, how's it gone?
0:19:30 > 0:19:33- Boring.- Boring? - Yeah.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Do you not think any job might be boring?
0:19:35 > 0:19:36Not that boring.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40It was pretty boring.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44No matter what job you start in life,
0:19:44 > 0:19:46- there will be boring parts... - Yeah, I know that.
0:19:46 > 0:19:49..and you've got to be willing to put up with the boring parts.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- We've all been the same. - Yeah, I know.
0:19:51 > 0:19:52We've all started from rock bottom.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54No matter where you start,
0:19:54 > 0:19:56you have to be willing to do the boring things.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59And it's only by doing the boring parts of the job
0:19:59 > 0:20:00- that you get somewhere. - Yeah, I know.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04You show the right attitude towards doing them,
0:20:04 > 0:20:07then you get a chance to move on, and somebody else, hopefully,
0:20:07 > 0:20:09comes in and does the boring jobs.
0:20:09 > 0:20:12- But everybody has to start at rock bottom.- Yeah, I know.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- OK?- Yeah.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16- I look forward to seeing you in the morning.- Right.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19Bright and early, OK?
0:20:31 > 0:20:34It's another early start.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Builder George is enjoying coming out of retirement.
0:20:43 > 0:20:46Sometimes when you get older, people think,
0:20:46 > 0:20:48"Oh, we don't need him, we can manage without him."
0:20:48 > 0:20:49You're just cast aside.
0:20:49 > 0:20:51See you, then.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53- Right-o, right, toodaloo. Toodaloo, toodaloo.- T'rah.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57'But I felt suddenly needed. I thought, I'm contributing here,
0:20:57 > 0:20:59'so I have a reason to get up and go to work.'
0:21:04 > 0:21:07But when George arrives on site,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10there's no sign of his young apprentice, Michael.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17I expect to see him.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19He already knows I need him.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21He knows what we're doing's a two-man job
0:21:21 > 0:21:23and he knows I need him here, so hopefully that's just going to
0:21:23 > 0:21:26spur him to come to work and not to let me down.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38At the restaurant, they're preparing for the lunch service.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Here there's a similar mystery.
0:21:43 > 0:21:44No sign of Jodie.
0:21:44 > 0:21:47No phone calls, nothing. No sign whatsoever.
0:21:47 > 0:21:50Don't know what's happened to her, if she's decided it's not for her,
0:21:50 > 0:21:53or she's ill or something's happened - I've no idea.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56Ruth was here at 10 o'clock this morning.
0:21:56 > 0:21:58She wasn't meant to start till half ten.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00It's not a good start, is it?
0:22:02 > 0:22:06At the chocolate factory, we've come to find out what happened
0:22:06 > 0:22:09to the young man who fell mysteriously ill yesterday.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14He came back in this morning,
0:22:14 > 0:22:18but as far as we're concerned, that was the end of it.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21You didn't feel he deserved a second chance,
0:22:21 > 0:22:23since he did turn up and apologise?
0:22:23 > 0:22:26No, maybe if it had just been one thing,
0:22:26 > 0:22:29but the fact to turn up late and then just to disappear off-site
0:22:29 > 0:22:31without letting anybody know,
0:22:31 > 0:22:33we wouldn't tolerate that with anybody.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36So what was his excuse, then, when he pitched up this morning?
0:22:36 > 0:22:39That he'd gone for his dinner at dinnertime
0:22:39 > 0:22:44and got a beef burger, and the beef burger was a bit dodgy,
0:22:44 > 0:22:46and after half an hour he was starting to feel ill.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49That's very quick for a beef burger, isn't it?
0:22:49 > 0:22:51Must be a very speedy food outlet.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Must've been very fast-acting food poisoning.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Time to see if Barbara is up to speed.
0:23:01 > 0:23:04I go as fast I can.
0:23:04 > 0:23:05Do the others go faster, do you think?
0:23:05 > 0:23:07Oh, they do. Oh, definitely.
0:23:07 > 0:23:09Cos they've been here longer, or because they're younger?
0:23:09 > 0:23:12I think it's because they've been doing it for years
0:23:12 > 0:23:15and I wouldn't expect to be as fast as them or faster.
0:23:16 > 0:23:21Not when I've only been here a few days.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23But have you speeded up over the four days?
0:23:23 > 0:23:25Yes, I'm getting better, I'm getting better.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31The main thing I had problems with was the black trays.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33I couldn't separate them.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37And, anyway, they've just shown me another way of doing it,
0:23:37 > 0:23:39and, believe it or not, I can do it now.
0:23:46 > 0:23:48Youngster Lee has been on the boxes.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51Getting the hang of it?
0:23:51 > 0:23:54- Just, yeah. - You've got to keep up with people.
0:23:54 > 0:23:55And these are all yours, too?
0:23:55 > 0:23:57There's quite a lot of them, yeah.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01Well, I think you're ahead of the game, aren't you? Let me have a go at that.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Yeah, you stick it there, pull it round, then over the edge and then twist it.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07- You've got to get it on the...? - About there, start from there.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Oh, see, I've made a balls of it already.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11You've got to press it down.
0:24:12 > 0:24:13Ah, OK.
0:24:17 > 0:24:18- Not so easy, is it?- No.
0:24:18 > 0:24:20- What?- No.
0:24:20 > 0:24:22Oh, my God!
0:24:25 > 0:24:28It looks easy, but it's not that easy.
0:24:28 > 0:24:29I know, yeah.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32How's he getting on?
0:24:32 > 0:24:35With Lee, what certainly came across yesterday
0:24:35 > 0:24:38was he found the work very boring.
0:24:38 > 0:24:41As far as his ability to do the work,
0:24:41 > 0:24:45every job that we've put him on so far, he's done quite well,
0:24:45 > 0:24:49so it's just a case of...
0:24:49 > 0:24:50just carry on as he is.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58At the moment, it's him and his sellotape machine,
0:24:58 > 0:25:03which I tried and couldn't do, so I wouldn't get a job there, either.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05No, you could get a job tasting.
0:25:07 > 0:25:10You're the one for a chocolate factory, Margaret.
0:25:10 > 0:25:11Not if they want to make to make a profit.
0:25:13 > 0:25:15Bittersweet chocolate, Margaret, bittersweet chocolate.
0:25:22 > 0:25:26Across town, it's the second morning at the estate agent.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Today, they need to draw up particulars for new properties,
0:25:32 > 0:25:35but 75-year-old Marie is still finding her way
0:25:35 > 0:25:37round the computer system.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- Down.- Oh!
0:25:41 > 0:25:42THEY LAUGH
0:25:42 > 0:25:43Oh, you are so patient!
0:25:45 > 0:25:46Oh, dear.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Now she's got competition.
0:25:50 > 0:25:5321-year-old Sam has mastered the technology in a morning.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58Right, that's great, so that's that one done.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00Right.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04It's gone good this morning. I've picked up the programme that they use here,
0:26:04 > 0:26:06which, like, finds all the properties.
0:26:07 > 0:26:09Pretty easy, to be honest.
0:26:13 > 0:26:18I'm not sure what I'm feeling about working with somebody younger.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21We'll see how it goes.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Sam and Marie are heading out to make a floor plan
0:26:26 > 0:26:27of one of the new properties.
0:26:36 > 0:26:37Well, we'll do,
0:26:37 > 0:26:41do the measuring and photograph each room as we go on.
0:26:41 > 0:26:42Yep, yeah, yeah.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47Marie was trained on the room measurer last week.
0:26:47 > 0:26:48Best to do it from...
0:26:50 > 0:26:52Oh, it's not showing anything.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56No, that's better.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00Can't be 112 metres, that.
0:27:00 > 0:27:01Can't be 112.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03Can't be. I don't think it'll be 12, either.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06It was easier than this last time I did it.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Probably been easier with a tape measure.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16That's 3.04.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Do you want to do that wall again?
0:27:19 > 0:27:21- Just to...- Just to check that one? - Yeah.
0:27:21 > 0:27:25Maybe do it just underneath the windowsill and point it.
0:27:25 > 0:27:29Yeah, do you not think we should take the recess, no?
0:27:29 > 0:27:32- No, because... - Because it's not the actual... Yeah, I see what you mean, yeah.
0:27:32 > 0:27:345.52.
0:27:35 > 0:27:39Back at the office, Marie's figures don't seem to add up.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44It should be the same as the kitchen.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46Should be the same as the kitchen, shouldn't it?
0:27:47 > 0:27:49No, it's not the same as the kitchen.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51The living room was bigger than the kitchen.
0:27:51 > 0:27:54Yes, but it should be the same that way, shouldn't it?
0:27:54 > 0:27:55No, I'm not with you.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57If this is the living room, it's a different room.
0:27:57 > 0:28:00But it's going to be the same width, isn't it?
0:28:00 > 0:28:02Because that's...
0:28:02 > 0:28:04That must be where the stairs are.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06But the stairs went, like, up here and then up here.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Oh, I'm sorry, I can't get my head round this.
0:28:09 > 0:28:11You know more about it than I do.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13I think we got the width of the kitchen right,
0:28:13 > 0:28:16it's just we've obviously made a mistake with the width of the...
0:28:16 > 0:28:19I was sure I did all the measuring correctly,
0:28:19 > 0:28:21- because we checked, didn't we? - Mmm.
0:28:21 > 0:28:25We both checked the measurements before we wrote it down.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28So, quite honestly, if we would just get on and try
0:28:28 > 0:28:31and get some people that are interested.
0:28:31 > 0:28:33I'm not too sure, to be honest.
0:28:33 > 0:28:34Not too sure?
0:28:34 > 0:28:37No. I think we need to get the right sizes,
0:28:37 > 0:28:39cos obviously that brochure's incorrect.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43Cos all the sizes are on each picture, so...
0:28:49 > 0:28:53'Working with Sam's frustrated me very much.'
0:28:53 > 0:28:56He seems to have picked up things very quickly,
0:28:56 > 0:28:58but, um...
0:28:58 > 0:29:00I just felt he was a little bit cocky.
0:29:00 > 0:29:03She's one of them people that doesn't like to be wrong,
0:29:03 > 0:29:06so if you say something that she disagrees with,
0:29:06 > 0:29:09then you've just got to agree with her to satisfy her.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12I enjoyed what I was doing last week
0:29:12 > 0:29:14but it just seems to have gone a bit wrong today.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17And I've felt a bit, um...
0:29:19 > 0:29:21..old, at times.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31At the restaurant, they're in the middle of lunch service,
0:29:31 > 0:29:34but they're still missing a waitress - Jodie.
0:29:36 > 0:29:38A glass of rose, table two - write it down.
0:29:38 > 0:29:39Write it down, yes? Sure.
0:29:39 > 0:29:41SPEAKING ITALIAN
0:29:42 > 0:29:43San Marco?
0:29:43 > 0:29:45The mystery is about to be solved.
0:29:47 > 0:29:48Jodie, hi, it's Carlo.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55Right, OK.
0:29:55 > 0:29:59Have you been to the doctor already, or are you going to the doctor?
0:29:59 > 0:30:00Yeah, OK.
0:30:00 > 0:30:02Couple of things - it's important, if you're not going to come in,
0:30:02 > 0:30:04I know you've only just started,
0:30:04 > 0:30:06but it's essential to give us a ring to let us know,
0:30:06 > 0:30:09because we need to replace you if you're not coming in.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11Obviously, we're counting on you as a member of staff to be here,
0:30:11 > 0:30:13and we're quite busy,
0:30:13 > 0:30:19so, if you can't come in tomorrow, you need to give us plenty of notice.
0:30:19 > 0:30:20- Excuse me?- Sorry.
0:30:20 > 0:30:23- Can I have a glass of ice water, as well, please?- Yes, certainly.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27As orders mount up, it's Ruth who has to cope with the extra pressure.
0:30:29 > 0:30:31Barbara's doing the food orders in there.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33- Sorry, where am I going? - Table three, thank you.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36Take that and come straight back, I've got something else to take out.
0:30:36 > 0:30:38- I just need to do a couple of coffees.- Right.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Getting a little bit behind on sweets here.
0:30:40 > 0:30:41- OK, 48, 48.- Thank you.
0:30:43 > 0:30:45They're making me work hard today.
0:30:45 > 0:30:47Come on, chop-chop, Ruth!
0:30:50 > 0:30:51I'm just doing it, yeah.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Can you take them the sweet menu? Thank you.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55'It's been really, really hard work.'
0:30:55 > 0:30:58We've all had to run and pull together as a team.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00Jodie's let us down in a big way.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03We could really have done with her here, and it's unacceptable.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05I don't know if she's genuinely ill or not.
0:31:05 > 0:31:06If she's not genuinely ill,
0:31:06 > 0:31:08then in my eyes, she's a waste of time.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10She might as well have not come in yesterday
0:31:10 > 0:31:11if she wasn't intending to come back,
0:31:11 > 0:31:13because what do I do spending two, three hours
0:31:13 > 0:31:16showing her the ropes for her not to turn up?
0:31:16 > 0:31:18It's a waste of my time, it's a waste of everybody's time,
0:31:18 > 0:31:20and then you let the side down, as well.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22Ruth - brilliant, can't fault her.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Listens to everything I tell her, works hard,
0:31:24 > 0:31:28put's it all into practice, fantastic.
0:31:30 > 0:31:31The end of service.
0:31:32 > 0:31:34Oh, that's good.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38'If somebody doesn't turn up, you have to get on with it, haven't you?'
0:31:38 > 0:31:39You've just to do it.
0:31:39 > 0:31:45So, yes, it's been busy, but I have enjoyed it.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47Once again, I have enjoyed it.
0:31:50 > 0:31:52- Bye-bye.- Bye.
0:31:52 > 0:31:54Ruth came into this week
0:31:54 > 0:31:57hoping Carlo would offer her a job at the end of it.
0:31:57 > 0:32:02I want to work, even though I'm 76. I want to do something.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06She was a receptionist until she retired eight years ago.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13In fact, my immediate boss wanted me to stay.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17She said, you know, they were happy with everything I'd done
0:32:17 > 0:32:20and they would really, really like me to stay on.
0:32:20 > 0:32:23The only reason she left was the fear
0:32:23 > 0:32:25she was standing in someone else's way.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29I didn't want to retire,
0:32:29 > 0:32:34but I felt I had to make way for a younger person.
0:32:34 > 0:32:39I felt it was right, you know? I'd done my stint, if you like.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42I did miss the job terribly.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47But was Ruth right to retire?
0:32:50 > 0:32:52We've come to ask an economist.
0:32:53 > 0:32:58If old people stick at work, are they effectively blocking
0:32:58 > 0:33:01a young person's chance of going into employment?
0:33:02 > 0:33:05No, it's not true either in theory or in practice.
0:33:05 > 0:33:09Whenever we see the employment of older workers going up,
0:33:09 > 0:33:12we see the employment of younger workers going up, not going down.
0:33:12 > 0:33:13I'm slightly baffled on that.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17You would've thought if somebody creates a vacancy,
0:33:17 > 0:33:20that will be filled, no?
0:33:20 > 0:33:23As an older worker leaves a job,
0:33:23 > 0:33:26their spending and their saving is going to change.
0:33:26 > 0:33:28They will potentially spend less,
0:33:28 > 0:33:31they may be more reliant on benefits,
0:33:31 > 0:33:35they're going to contribute less to government revenues in terms of taxes.
0:33:35 > 0:33:37If you think about thousands or hundreds of thousands
0:33:37 > 0:33:39of older workers stopping work,
0:33:39 > 0:33:41it could shrink an economy by really quite a lot.
0:33:41 > 0:33:46So it's too simplistic to look at it and say, "One out, one in?"
0:33:46 > 0:33:47Absolutely.
0:33:47 > 0:33:51If it were really true, then we would've expected
0:33:51 > 0:33:54some effects of men on the huge employment rates
0:33:54 > 0:33:57that we've seen of women on the last 30 or 40 years.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59You know, the increase in employment rates of women
0:33:59 > 0:34:02have been 50% over the last 40 years,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05and yet it had absolutely no effect on the employment rates of men.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08It's the same question that crops up when you think about male/female,
0:34:08 > 0:34:11or older versus younger, and it comes down to the same point.
0:34:11 > 0:34:15Everybody can benefit from having more productive individuals in society,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18regardless of whether they're young or old.
0:34:22 > 0:34:23If James is right,
0:34:23 > 0:34:26then Ruth should never have retired in the first place.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29I thought it was extraordinary.
0:34:30 > 0:34:35There's no point in the elderly making way for the young,
0:34:35 > 0:34:40because it in no way improves the chances of the young getting a job.
0:34:41 > 0:34:42But if they want to work,
0:34:42 > 0:34:46the young still need to prove that they're job-worthy.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50We've come to check on the building site.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54Hello.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56Ashley! I'm really pleased to see you here.
0:34:56 > 0:34:57Thank you.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59- Are you enjoying it? - Yeah, absolutely brilliant.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02- Really enjoying myself. - And were you here on time?
0:35:02 > 0:35:03Yep, always am.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05- Working hard?- Indeed.
0:35:05 > 0:35:09OK, so tell me Ashley, out of the two of you, who's faster?
0:35:09 > 0:35:10Me!
0:35:10 > 0:35:11Who's faster?
0:35:11 > 0:35:13Him!
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Why's that?
0:35:17 > 0:35:18He's younger.
0:35:20 > 0:35:25But George's new apprentice Michael is still missing.
0:35:25 > 0:35:27Where's your young man, then?
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Well, I've lost him today, I think.
0:35:29 > 0:35:31- This is disappointing. - I am disappointed.
0:35:31 > 0:35:35He does a day, and he doesn't bloody show up, doesn't even ring you.
0:35:35 > 0:35:37- It's not good, no.- It's really sad.
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Bit disappointed. The day's gone now.
0:35:39 > 0:35:41This morning, I thought we'd give him the benefit of the doubt.
0:35:41 > 0:35:44Might be a problem at home, transport maybe.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47The thing is, the proper bloke's here. I'm proud of you.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50Yeah. Well, it's so disappointing for George as well.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53He's let himself down, and he's let others down, too.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55He has, really. He has, actually, yes.
0:36:00 > 0:36:02Day two for the youngsters to be at work,
0:36:02 > 0:36:05and half of them aren't there, half of them have given up.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07What does this tell us?
0:36:07 > 0:36:09It tells us they need a kick up the backside, if you ask me.
0:36:09 > 0:36:13I'm worried, actually, that so many youngsters, young kids,
0:36:13 > 0:36:17think there's some sort of short-cut to prosperity.
0:36:17 > 0:36:20Let me tell you, and I'm not showing off, I worked for a company
0:36:20 > 0:36:23and they had a concierge that used to come round and chuck us all out
0:36:23 > 0:36:26of the office at seven o'clock, right,
0:36:26 > 0:36:30and I used to, and I'm not bragging, I used to lock myself
0:36:30 > 0:36:34in a cupboard until he had gone and locked the offices,
0:36:34 > 0:36:37and then I would emerge from the cupboard to finish what I was doing
0:36:37 > 0:36:41cos it had to be done, and then I would climb out of a window,
0:36:41 > 0:36:44cross the rooftops and down through a fire escape,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46because you had to finish the job.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48I don't care if it was midnight or two in the morning!
0:37:05 > 0:37:079.00am.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10Jodie lives at home with her mum,
0:37:10 > 0:37:14and today, she's hoping to get back to work.
0:37:14 > 0:37:18I'm actually scared. I don't know what to say.
0:37:18 > 0:37:19What if he goes mad?
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Hello, is this Carlo?
0:37:25 > 0:37:28Hi, Carlo, it's Jodie.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32I'm all right today, actually. Lucky enough, it was only a 24-hour bug.
0:37:33 > 0:37:36No, I actually couldn't get out of bed because I was that ill,
0:37:36 > 0:37:38but it's all brushed off today
0:37:38 > 0:37:42because I got in the bath yesterday and it made me feel a lot better.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46Yeah, I'll definitely be in tonight,
0:37:46 > 0:37:51and I'm sorry again for yesterday for not informing you early enough.
0:37:51 > 0:37:53Right. Make sure you look smart, presentable.
0:37:53 > 0:37:54'I will do.'
0:37:54 > 0:37:57Brilliant, all right. I'm glad you're coming in, OK?
0:37:57 > 0:37:58'Thank you, bye.'
0:37:58 > 0:38:00We'll see you tonight, thank you, bye.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06At the building site, Michael's back.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09He says he was absent yesterday for a personal matter
0:38:09 > 0:38:11he'd rather not discuss.
0:38:11 > 0:38:14We're not going to crucify you for one day.
0:38:14 > 0:38:15Everybody deserves a chance,
0:38:15 > 0:38:18but a wee bit disappointed that you didn't phone in.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Everybody phones in.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22Uh-huh.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24If you're having time off, let us know.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26If you was to have any more time off without phoning in,
0:38:26 > 0:38:29it would then become a disciplinary matter.
0:38:32 > 0:38:36Last week, our pensioners shrugged off freezing weather
0:38:36 > 0:38:38and gale force winds.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42This morning, it's rain.
0:38:44 > 0:38:49Without a roof, the whole site soon floods and everyone is wet through.
0:38:50 > 0:38:52How's he doing, Roy?
0:38:52 > 0:38:55It's not him you should be bothering about it, it's me.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58I'm going to die with pneumonia.
0:38:58 > 0:39:02In these conditions, like, it's very trying, isn't it?
0:39:02 > 0:39:04Don't like rain, do you?
0:39:04 > 0:39:05Not when I'm doing this.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07Being a plumber, I thought you'd be used to water.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11The water goes in the pipe, not all over me.
0:39:11 > 0:39:12LAUGHTER
0:39:14 > 0:39:16Gradually, your clothes get wet through
0:39:16 > 0:39:19and it seeps through all your outer clothes onto your inner clothes,
0:39:19 > 0:39:21and you feel a bit - not saying miserable -
0:39:21 > 0:39:22you can still carry on working,
0:39:22 > 0:39:25but it's very unpleasant working conditions.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30I suppose a good hot bath tonight just might remedy the situation.
0:39:30 > 0:39:31It may not. We'll wait and see.
0:39:31 > 0:39:33If I've stiffened up by tomorrow,
0:39:33 > 0:39:35that's me done for the rest of the week,
0:39:35 > 0:39:37but we'll see how that goes.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39As a young lad, I might've done it.
0:39:39 > 0:39:45I need an half-inch off here. Hold them while I bloody saw it.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48It's frustrating this lot, isn't it?
0:39:48 > 0:39:51He feels the cold a lot more than maybe I do,
0:39:51 > 0:39:55and he's not moving around as much as I am.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03He can't cope on his own, really. He keeps shouting me every five minutes
0:40:03 > 0:40:06so there's no point me doing another job cos he needs my help,
0:40:06 > 0:40:10so I might as well just stay with him and help him out.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13Our bloody performance is slipping here, isn't it?
0:40:13 > 0:40:15Hey, yours is, not mine. Come on.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19Now they're only working at half speed,
0:40:19 > 0:40:22but that's not Roy's main concern.
0:40:22 > 0:40:27I might not be here in t'morning. I might've died off.
0:40:27 > 0:40:31You don't know, I'm pretty wet! Honestly, I'm wet through.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32It's unbelievable.
0:40:35 > 0:40:39Both our pensioners may be struggling in this environment,
0:40:39 > 0:40:42but will the 70-year-olds of the future
0:40:42 > 0:40:45be in better physical condition?
0:40:48 > 0:40:51Some people think they might.
0:40:53 > 0:40:58Looking to the future, new treatments for diseases,
0:40:58 > 0:41:02new ways of preventing diseases,
0:41:02 > 0:41:06it's just going to make such a huge difference.
0:41:06 > 0:41:09Do you think we're aging more slowly?
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Undoubtedly, yes.
0:41:11 > 0:41:14People are now far more aware of the importance of lifestyle.
0:41:14 > 0:41:19GPs have been hammering away at people to try to stop smoking,
0:41:19 > 0:41:21take some exercise.
0:41:21 > 0:41:27We do regular blood tests to make sure people's cholesterol's OK,
0:41:27 > 0:41:31and I think all of this is going to just snowball.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38If the doctor's right, today's new-borns will cope better
0:41:38 > 0:41:43with working into their 70s than our group of pensioners have.
0:41:43 > 0:41:46What I think is happening is that people are living longer
0:41:46 > 0:41:50and longer and longer and therefore the age at which one becomes old,
0:41:50 > 0:41:52if we can call it that,
0:41:52 > 0:41:54seems to be moving forward.
0:41:54 > 0:41:57People deserve a pension,
0:41:57 > 0:42:02but to say society should fund that for 20 or 30 years
0:42:02 > 0:42:04may be unreasonable.
0:42:04 > 0:42:07Mmm, you may be right, Margaret. You may be right.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09But I still have a feeling, you know,
0:42:09 > 0:42:13that just because one lives longer one is just as, sort of,
0:42:13 > 0:42:15incapable of doing a full-time job.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19Maybe we linger on longer.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28But one person determined to prove she can go on working,
0:42:28 > 0:42:30is would-be estate agent Marie.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Do you know, I'm completely lost? I've lost my bearings.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39She's been sent out to win some business.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43Well, there is a car park there but I don't know how you get into it.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48Maybe I have to go further up the road.
0:42:50 > 0:42:54She's up against her younger rival, who has exactly the same mission.
0:42:54 > 0:42:56Yeah, I'm hoping for a deal on a property.
0:42:56 > 0:43:01Hopefully, if all goes well, I'll hopefully get a sale.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04If I can get one, that'll be great. If I can get two, even better.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16I think we'll just have to risk it.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19Parking doesn't seem to be her strong point.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23Oh, that's quite a good size.
0:43:23 > 0:43:24Yeah.
0:43:24 > 0:43:29But this part of the job is all about people skills.
0:43:29 > 0:43:32Well, I'm hoping that I'll get a few completions this week.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35I'm hoping, I'm hoping.
0:43:35 > 0:43:37It would be great if that could happen this week.
0:43:37 > 0:43:40You could get some old rugs and put them out there, couldn't you?
0:43:40 > 0:43:41Yeah.
0:43:41 > 0:43:44You've got solar lights all the way round.
0:43:44 > 0:43:47Be nice to see it lit up at night, wouldn't it?
0:43:47 > 0:43:48Yeah, and put up a barbeque.
0:43:48 > 0:43:50Yeah. Getting excited?
0:43:50 > 0:43:51Yeah!
0:43:51 > 0:43:54This is nice, isn't it? We like it, don't we?
0:43:54 > 0:43:57Do you know, it's the best view in Preston?
0:43:57 > 0:43:59Yeah.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07Right, you've got two options.
0:44:07 > 0:44:10I can give you a quick tour round or you can have a look round yourself.
0:44:10 > 0:44:12- Yeah, we'll just have look round? - Yeah.
0:44:12 > 0:44:14Yeah? Is that cool?
0:44:14 > 0:44:15Yeah, no problem.
0:44:20 > 0:44:24Youngster Sam has a more hands-off approach.
0:44:24 > 0:44:25Hiya, nice to meet you.
0:44:25 > 0:44:27You've got two options. I can show you room for room,
0:44:27 > 0:44:29or you can have a scout round on yourself
0:44:29 > 0:44:31and then ask any questions you need?
0:44:31 > 0:44:33- Do you want to show me round? - Yep. Right.
0:44:33 > 0:44:35Obviously, this is your living area.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38It's got, erm... What's it called...
0:44:38 > 0:44:40Electric fire?
0:44:40 > 0:44:43Yeah, it's got electric fire. It's got the aerial plug there.
0:44:47 > 0:44:49Quite a blank canvas there.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54Right.
0:44:56 > 0:45:00Bit of... Maybe a bit of decor to do.
0:45:00 > 0:45:01OK.
0:45:02 > 0:45:06It's a little bit of storage for your clothes, letting 'em dry.
0:45:07 > 0:45:10Obviously two windows.
0:45:10 > 0:45:14There's a bath with a shower, a toilet
0:45:14 > 0:45:16and, obviously, your sink basin.
0:45:16 > 0:45:17Yeah.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19OK?
0:45:19 > 0:45:23And then there's a brochure if you want to take that away with you.
0:45:23 > 0:45:24Yep.
0:45:32 > 0:45:37At the factory, pensioner Barbara is at work as normal.
0:45:39 > 0:45:41But she's the only one.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45The second youngster, Lee, never returns.
0:45:47 > 0:45:50I think that times have changed dramatically.
0:45:50 > 0:45:55Nowadays, people just feel that you can,
0:45:55 > 0:45:58I don't know how to phrase it but, you know,
0:45:58 > 0:46:00you can just have the job you want, really.
0:46:00 > 0:46:03I mean, we would just have to reward people willing to do
0:46:03 > 0:46:09the sweeping streets, doing any job that comes along.
0:46:09 > 0:46:12It wasn't a disgrace or anything doing work,
0:46:12 > 0:46:14and they were making money.
0:46:15 > 0:46:19Well, I'm mad, really. I'm mad that he hasn't give it, you know,
0:46:19 > 0:46:23like, we're, like, older here, we're willing to slog away.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26I know there's... I would like to go into another job
0:46:26 > 0:46:28but I know there's not other jobs out there.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31There's days I don't like it and it can get boring,
0:46:31 > 0:46:33but you just carry on with it.
0:46:33 > 0:46:36It brings you in a wage, it pays your bills,
0:46:36 > 0:46:38pays your mortgage and you do it.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41That's what we've been brought up to do.
0:46:47 > 0:46:50It's our final visit to the restaurant.
0:46:52 > 0:46:55Are you all right? OK?
0:46:56 > 0:47:01This evening, young waitress Jodie did make it in,
0:47:01 > 0:47:04but she hasn't got off to the best start.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09I just spilt a drink. It didn't spill on him but...
0:47:09 > 0:47:11Did you not get any on the customer?
0:47:11 > 0:47:13You're really lucky, then. Really lucky.
0:47:16 > 0:47:18For you, sir. Thank you.
0:47:22 > 0:47:24Good evening.
0:47:24 > 0:47:26What happened yesterday?
0:47:26 > 0:47:28Well, I was sick, I just weren't feeling well.
0:47:28 > 0:47:30You had a bad tummy?
0:47:30 > 0:47:33Yeah, and with it being a food environment, I just thought...
0:47:33 > 0:47:36- And you feel better today? - Yeah, I feel a lot better.
0:47:36 > 0:47:38It's nerve-wracking but I feel better.
0:47:38 > 0:47:41- Well, maybe it was a bit of nerves, then, but you're OK?- Yeah, yeah.
0:47:41 > 0:47:43Hello, Ruth. How are you?
0:47:43 > 0:47:45I'm fine, thank you. How are you?
0:47:45 > 0:47:46Very well. You're looking all right.
0:47:46 > 0:47:48I'm very warm, that's why!
0:47:48 > 0:47:49Are you keeping up?
0:47:49 > 0:47:52Yes! Oh, I'm so enjoying it. It's unbelievable.
0:47:52 > 0:47:54- Are you?- Yes.
0:47:57 > 0:47:59- I'll open it for you, all right? - Yes, please.
0:47:59 > 0:48:01Make sure we do it.
0:48:01 > 0:48:03We ask Ruth for a bottle of red wine.
0:48:05 > 0:48:07Oh, brilliant.
0:48:07 > 0:48:10- So they've opened the bottle for you?- Yes.
0:48:10 > 0:48:13I've tried two or three times and I can't get a grip.
0:48:13 > 0:48:17It's one of those tiny, tiny corkscrews.
0:48:19 > 0:48:22Jodie has still got a lot to learn.
0:48:22 > 0:48:23What are you taking?
0:48:23 > 0:48:25You just said the mussels are ready.
0:48:25 > 0:48:26They're not mussels.
0:48:26 > 0:48:28- What are they then?- Oysters.
0:48:28 > 0:48:31- Soz.- They won't bite you.
0:48:31 > 0:48:35If you were Carlo and you'd a vacancy for one waitress,
0:48:35 > 0:48:36who would you choose?
0:48:36 > 0:48:39Ruth, we all love Ruth,
0:48:39 > 0:48:42but I would go for the kid.
0:48:42 > 0:48:46She'll be faster in the long run, she'll have more stamina.
0:48:48 > 0:48:53She's got a greater life expectancy in the waitressing trade,
0:48:53 > 0:48:56and with a little bit of training,
0:48:56 > 0:48:59and a little bit of - another year under her belt,
0:48:59 > 0:49:01I think she's made for this business.
0:49:01 > 0:49:05Ruth can do much more round the restaurant generally,
0:49:05 > 0:49:09and she's just so enthusiastic. She's really enjoying it still.
0:49:09 > 0:49:13Jodie, she's been here for two days, cos she missed one
0:49:13 > 0:49:16cos she says she wasn't well.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19We don't know whether that was genuine or an excuse.
0:49:21 > 0:49:23Are you all right?
0:49:25 > 0:49:30In the kitchen, a mountain of dishes is being washed by one 73-year-old.
0:49:33 > 0:49:35Hello, John. How's it going?
0:49:35 > 0:49:37OK.
0:49:37 > 0:49:38Still standing?
0:49:38 > 0:49:39Still standing, yeah.
0:49:39 > 0:49:42I wouldn't like to do it on a permanent basis.
0:49:42 > 0:49:44- You wouldn't?- No.
0:49:44 > 0:49:47'John has done manual jobs much of his life,
0:49:47 > 0:49:49'but retired eight years ago.'
0:49:49 > 0:49:53If they begged you to stay on, John, what would you say?
0:49:53 > 0:49:56There must be somebody else younger than me who could do it.
0:49:56 > 0:49:58I can't say I blame you, John.
0:50:00 > 0:50:04He's tired. He's 70 whatever it is,
0:50:04 > 0:50:07he's in there, in the steam and God knows what else,
0:50:07 > 0:50:09and he's tired. He doesn't want to do it anymore.
0:50:09 > 0:50:11And it's relentless in there, isn't it?
0:50:11 > 0:50:13Well, I don't blame him. I don't blame him.
0:50:13 > 0:50:15I think he should be released.
0:50:24 > 0:50:28Today, everyone IS being released.
0:50:28 > 0:50:33Come five o'clock, I'll be through that gate like Linford Christie!
0:50:33 > 0:50:36HE LAUGHS
0:50:37 > 0:50:41Before she leaves, Marie does get a letting.
0:50:42 > 0:50:45Sadly, Sam doesn't.
0:50:45 > 0:50:47- Bye, nice meeting you. - Nice meeting you.
0:50:47 > 0:50:49- You take care.- You, too.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51I'm just a recycled teenager.
0:50:51 > 0:50:53LAUGHTER
0:50:59 > 0:51:02Now, we're bringing our employers together.
0:51:03 > 0:51:08Do they think the over 70s can thrive in the modern workplace?
0:51:08 > 0:51:11And would they give any of them a job?
0:51:11 > 0:51:15When we started this experiment, we wanted to see how you would
0:51:15 > 0:51:20all feel about employing people well into their 70s,
0:51:20 > 0:51:23and we really just wanted to, I guess, explore with you
0:51:23 > 0:51:25what sort of experiences you've had.
0:51:25 > 0:51:27We've had a very good couple of weeks.
0:51:27 > 0:51:31Their skill sets were all there, their experience, the knowledge.
0:51:31 > 0:51:33Were you surprised at how well they did?
0:51:33 > 0:51:35Yeah, I was, but their time's up, I think.
0:51:35 > 0:51:40The last day, it was getting a wee bit tough on the old bones
0:51:40 > 0:51:42and muscles.
0:51:42 > 0:51:44Ray, how did they get on in the factory?
0:51:44 > 0:51:46Their work ethic was fantastic.
0:51:46 > 0:51:52They certainly put to shame the younger element,
0:51:52 > 0:51:56but I had to be brutally frank. She did everything.
0:51:56 > 0:52:00She was brilliant, she has a fantastic personality,
0:52:00 > 0:52:04but she wouldn't achieve the speed that I wanted to achieve.
0:52:04 > 0:52:08The productivity would suffer with that older workforce.
0:52:08 > 0:52:09It would.
0:52:09 > 0:52:11Is that something you would agree with?
0:52:11 > 0:52:13Generally, I would agree with that.
0:52:13 > 0:52:16I think for maybe one or two weeks, they could probably keep up the pace
0:52:16 > 0:52:19but once you got beyond that, I think they'd slow down a wee bit.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22And how about an estate agent?
0:52:22 > 0:52:26Did you feel that they were as productive as younger members of staff?
0:52:26 > 0:52:31The older person has, of course, built up a wealth of job skills,
0:52:31 > 0:52:36and it's sad to say that the level of courtesy and common sense
0:52:36 > 0:52:40seems to be diminishing in the younger generation.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43So an older workforce, generally,
0:52:43 > 0:52:46will have the skills that we would prefer.
0:52:46 > 0:52:49How did they get on with you?
0:52:49 > 0:52:50I think they did brilliantly.
0:52:50 > 0:52:52We didn't have a benchmark to set it against
0:52:52 > 0:52:56cos we never really employed anybody over the age of mid-40s before,
0:52:56 > 0:53:00but you were getting added value from the older person, I thought.
0:53:00 > 0:53:03And yeah, they do stand out because they're not the run of the mill
0:53:03 > 0:53:06person you would employ, and you've got your regular customers
0:53:06 > 0:53:09and they know what they're used to seeing, but positive comments.
0:53:09 > 0:53:11They thought the service was wonderful,
0:53:11 > 0:53:14they had good conversations with the older members of staff.
0:53:14 > 0:53:15They had a lot more to talk about.
0:53:18 > 0:53:21I don't think any of the older people that have been employed
0:53:21 > 0:53:24over the last two weeks want to return to full-time employment,
0:53:24 > 0:53:28but quite a few of them would've been interested in having part-time jobs.
0:53:28 > 0:53:33Would you, as employers, be able to facilitate part-time working
0:53:33 > 0:53:36for, what I might call, the elderly?
0:53:36 > 0:53:38I think Agency has always been a flexible business
0:53:38 > 0:53:43and there's always been, within our business, people who work part-time,
0:53:43 > 0:53:46so I don't think, actually, it'd be difficult at all for us to do that.
0:53:46 > 0:53:48I think my views, my personal views, would be
0:53:48 > 0:53:50you would love to take on the younger end.
0:53:50 > 0:53:55You always want to be bringing in the younger element which are going
0:53:55 > 0:53:59to be the next line supervisors, and the future of your company.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03It would be something new for us, but I think
0:54:03 > 0:54:06we could certainly accommodate an older member for our team.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11I second that. I think we'd definitely find a job,
0:54:11 > 0:54:14part-time at least, for an older person.
0:54:20 > 0:54:24At the chocolate factory, Barbara isn't offered a job,
0:54:24 > 0:54:27but she leaves with head held high.
0:54:27 > 0:54:30I think the fact that you're still here fills us,
0:54:30 > 0:54:33to a certain degree, with admiration,
0:54:33 > 0:54:36and I think you've come from a generation where
0:54:36 > 0:54:39if you make a commitment, you fulfil that commitment.
0:54:39 > 0:54:41APPLAUSE
0:54:50 > 0:54:51At the building site,
0:54:51 > 0:54:54both pensioners are told they still have the skills to work
0:54:54 > 0:54:59if they want to, but neither fell over themselves to apply for a job.
0:54:59 > 0:55:02So if there was a job going, you two guys,
0:55:02 > 0:55:04would you be tempted to come back?
0:55:04 > 0:55:06I've still got the knowledge and the skills,
0:55:06 > 0:55:09but whether physically I can continue, I'm not sure about.
0:55:09 > 0:55:10It's not for me.
0:55:10 > 0:55:12- Not for you. - I want to live a bit longer.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14LAUGHTER
0:55:14 > 0:55:18Ashley is told they would like to offer him work.
0:55:18 > 0:55:22Every report I'm getting back is absolutely superb.
0:55:24 > 0:55:26Michael is told they wouldn't.
0:55:28 > 0:55:33At the estate agent, they're not hiring right now,
0:55:33 > 0:55:36but Kevin knows who he'd pick if they were.
0:55:36 > 0:55:41If I was in a position to offer a job to either one of you,
0:55:41 > 0:55:43I'd have to be employing Marie.
0:55:45 > 0:55:48It is an experience and age thing.
0:55:48 > 0:55:50I don't think that's a criticism of Sam.
0:55:54 > 0:55:58And at the restaurant, John is offered a job,
0:55:58 > 0:56:00but firmly turns it down.
0:56:02 > 0:56:06Jodie is told to stay in touch.
0:56:06 > 0:56:08Ruth is called over for a meeting.
0:56:10 > 0:56:12I'd rather finish the job, actually.
0:56:12 > 0:56:14- Ruth, you got a minute?- Me?
0:56:14 > 0:56:15- Yeah.- Yes.- Have a little chat.
0:56:15 > 0:56:18- Last shift.- I know, it's sad.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21- Are you sad?- I am, I really am.
0:56:21 > 0:56:22I am, to be honest.
0:56:22 > 0:56:24We threw you right in at the deep end.
0:56:24 > 0:56:27You've been taking the orders fantastically well.
0:56:27 > 0:56:30It's been a pleasure working with you, and I'm asking you honestly -
0:56:30 > 0:56:32if it's something you feel that you'd want to do,
0:56:32 > 0:56:35we'd love to have you back, even one shift a week.
0:56:35 > 0:56:37I would love to, yes.
0:56:37 > 0:56:40I get a buzz doing it, I really do, which is so good,
0:56:40 > 0:56:42and I think at my age,
0:56:42 > 0:56:46I think it's a really nice thing to be able to do, you know.
0:56:49 > 0:56:55To offer me the job in the first place is just superb,
0:56:55 > 0:57:00and I know now I've something I can really, really get my teeth into.
0:57:00 > 0:57:03Thank you very much. Thanks so much for having me.
0:57:03 > 0:57:05- Do I get a kiss as well? - Yeah, yes.
0:57:05 > 0:57:10I hope that I can carry on doing it because I have such a lot of energy,
0:57:10 > 0:57:13and I cannot sit in a chair and do nothing.
0:57:13 > 0:57:15I'm so pleased it's come along.
0:57:15 > 0:57:17- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:57:26 > 0:57:28I'm good at what I do and I finally proved it,
0:57:28 > 0:57:32and I feel a lot better now, and I think it's going to open up
0:57:32 > 0:57:34a lot of job opportunities for me and I really hope it does.
0:57:34 > 0:57:36He actually has said to me
0:57:36 > 0:57:39that he's going to ask round his restaurants in Preston
0:57:39 > 0:57:41if there's anything going,
0:57:41 > 0:57:43and hopefully, fingers crossed, I will get a job.
0:57:43 > 0:57:47Bit of bad feedback but it was overall a good time.
0:57:50 > 0:57:53On the basis of what we've seen over the last couple of weeks,
0:57:53 > 0:57:56it's the young people I'm worried about.
0:57:56 > 0:57:58Some of them have got no work ethic at all.
0:57:58 > 0:58:02We sent 14 OAPs back to work and at the end of it all,
0:58:02 > 0:58:04only one took a job,
0:58:04 > 0:58:07and if the whole country is going to be expected to work
0:58:07 > 0:58:09well into their late 70s,
0:58:09 > 0:58:12well, frankly, the future doesn't bode very well, does it?
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