Online recruitment agency totaljobs.com said of a recent survey of 250 workers, that whilst many would consider a career switch, most were put off because it would mean starting at the bottom of the jobs ladder again.

Paul Ivory, speaking for the company said, "Only if a jobseeker has an almost identical position, in a very similar working environment, do they stand a chance of making the interview cut."

He went on to explain that a "rich vein" of mature talent was being ignored by new employers.

The survey results were released to coincide with today's Learning at Work day, which forms a part of the Adult Learners Week.

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