Intel's Barrett: UK needs more silver surfers

Older people need to improve their IT skills if they are going to succeed in the job market and access public services in the future, according to chip giant Intel.

Intel said it is working with charity Age Concern to reduce the barriers preventing older people from using computers, and is encouraging its partners to develop products that are more attractive to 'silver surfers'.

Far fewer over-50s own PCs in the UK than in the US, which means an untapped market for the chip company.

Intel's chairman Craig Barrett said the majority of jobs require IT skills, so older people need training and experience with technology.

He said: "If you want this age group to be active members of economic society then knowledge is key."

These skills will also be needed for access to services, he said: "The interaction of this age group with government and healthcare is going to increasingly require that they have IT capabilities and experience."

He added: "If you want them to interface with an increasingly electronic health system and government as it becomes more of an e-government, then they have to have internet capabilities."

Older people in the UK are lagging behind those in the US, he said.

He told silicon.com: "About 50 per cent of over-50s in the US have bought something online - that's dramatically higher than the equivalent [group] here."

In contrast, according to the research conducted by Intel, 44 per cent of over-50s in the UK - around 8.4 million people - don't even have access to a computer.

Barrett, 66, said Intel is also examining its marketing to older people: "I don't think anyone has done a reasonable job marketing technology to the older set."

He added: "If there is a large category that is under-served and they are not responding to the marketing message then you probably change the market message."

Age Concern's membership director, Ailsa Ogilvie, added: "Digital exclusion is a type of social exclusion that is only going to increase unless we do something about it."

In May, Age Concern will be holding a 'Silver Surfer Week' to encourage older people to use computers, and is also offering 10,000 internet taster sessions.