The solution to an escalating skills shortage is staring employers in the face, according to a Brighton mother who has tried unsuccessfully to get herself a job.

She said employers only need to drop the age qualification for their vacancies and they could find themselves turning candidates away.

Martine Self said there is plenty of talent out there which is being overlooked just because the applicants are over 40.

She said: "I find it fascinating that employers are complaining of a skill shortage but decline to consider employing those from 40 upwards who have been sidelined by ageism and anti-family friendly employer policies.

"I'm speaking from experience. I am a 43-year-old woman with an IQ of 154. Before I started having children, I edited business magazines. I chose to stay at home to look after my children.

"In the interim, I wrote five books just to make sure I used my brain. I can type at speeds of 60wpm, answer the phone, I am a whizz on the computer and internet and I have loads of good ideas which could be put to good use in a company.

"I want to work only six hours a day so that I can collect my children from school and be with them after school. However, no one will give me a job.

"I bet I'm not the only one sitting at home and wondering why no one wants to employ me. Employers take note. There is a whole army of suitably-qualified potential staff out there. If your growth slows down, you only have yourselves to blame."

Martine's plea comes as the Government is calling for a Europe-wide task force to be set up to tackle the shortage of skilled workers.

Employment minister Tessa Jowell has said women and older workers would welcome the chance of employment.

By 2003, there will be an estimated 1.7million vacancies across Europe in the information technology sector and, with an ageing population, it is inevitable the figure will rise.

Other plans for dealing with the problem include scrapping the fixed retirement age and allowing workers to opt to delay retirement.

Moves to prevent employers forcing older workers out to grass would bring Britain into line with an EU Directive outlawing such discrimination signed last year.