My simplistic concern on this issue is that -
‘Middle Aged’ have the real world technology know-how, the young ones have the academic know-how.
It could be that the young can and will rediscover first hand knowledge, but it could be argued that they will benefit from learning from the ‘Middle Aged’.
Companies hiring the 20-somethings mostly for their cheaper starting salaries and ‘gambled’ on the technology transfer by the Middle Aged willingly and completely.
Companies hiring the 20-somethings mostly for their cheaper starting salaries and ‘gambled’ on the technology transfer by the Middle Aged willingly and completely.
One major engineering and construction company did exactly that. Let go of most of the experienced engineers, and hired some engineers with less than 2 years experience to replace them (and likely some people with education degrees). This furthered that particular company’s reputation as a cookie cutter outfit.
It will go unnamed because I worked there at one time.