B&Q has announced new apprenticeships and other training schemes for pensioners to mark International Older Persons Day tomorrow. B&Q, which has a branch in Leatherhead, has employed older people in its stores for some time and more than a quarter of its employees are aged 50 and over.

Staff at the DIY store, aged from 18 to 70, have already signed up to a new national apprenticeship scheme.

The DIY giant is also offering other forms of training to its older workers.

The company removed the retirement age more than15 years ago along with any age criteria in relation to recruitment or benefits. It also offers a flexible retirement option enabling employees to draw their pension while working.

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