Training older workers keeps skills at work

30 May 2008

Industry training must meet older workers'needs if we are to retain their skills rather than lose them to retirement, according to new research from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.

NCVER Managing Director, Dr Tom Karmel, said training was a vital ingredient in keeping employees of all ages up-to-date and connected with their work.

He said it was important to encourage older people to stay in the workforce to reduce the potential demand on the public purse for income support and enable many older workers to enjoy a better lifestyle.

"One-third of Australia's current workforce and about 20% of vocational education and training students are aged 45 to 64 years," Dr Karmel said.

"And, these numbers are growing as many people adjust their retirement plans and stay in the workforce longer."

The research, undertaken by Fran Ferrier, Gerald Burke and Chris Selby Smith, finds that when planning the type of training to be provided and how it is to be delivered, employers and training providers should consider the different learning preferences, motivations and expectations of older workers.

"We are increasingly finding that a broad brush approach when developing teaching and learning policies and strategies does not meet everyone’s needs and circumstances," Dr Karmel said.

"Employees and employers alike want training that meets their needs."

Older employees are a very diverse group in the skills and qualifications they hold; their work experiences (including occupation and industry levels); their retirement plans; and in their willingness and confidence to participate in learning and applying new skills.

For older workers, the provision of effective skills development must go hand-in-hand with flexible working arrangements which encourage continued employment. An example of such arrangement is semi-retirement, which allows older workers to combine employment with increased leisure.

ENDS

To download a copy of Skills development for a diverse older workforce, please visit http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1984.html.

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