Work in Progress
Older workers' perspectives on training and retention of older workers
Summary
- Item:
- 10358
- Title:
- Older workers' perspectives on training and retention of older workers
- Type:
- Managed research project
- Project no:
- NR5012
- Status:
- Finished
- Date commenced:
- 31 October 2005
- Contact:
- phone: +61 8 8302 4787
- email: david.lundberg@unisa.edu.au
Purpose
To identify and analyse older worker's perspectives on training and retention of older workers, to determine what training and other complementary policy measures are likely to work best to foster retention of older workers as efficient and effective workforce participants.
Approach
Data analysis, literature review, survey
Research questions
1. What training programs are undertaken by respondent older workers in specific occupations?
2. What are the vocational aspirations of the respondent older workers in specific occupations?
3. What affects the preferences of respondent older workers in specific occupations for full-time or part-time work, and between continuing in their current job, transferring their skills to other gainful employment, or retiring? Why?
4. Are gender differences, personal circumstances, family obligations, age, the nature of work in specific occupations and personal attitudes to learning related to the orientation of individual respondent older workers to the individual's continuing participation in the workforce?
5. What gender differences in training access, training needs and employment participation are indicated by respondent older workers in specific occupations?
6. How do respondent older workers in specific occupations perceive the attitudes and actions of employers and colleagues to the respondents acquiring skills and knowledge to remain effective in the workforce?
7. What are the features or characteristics of training programs that respondent older workers in specific occupations consider most effective for them?
8. What training policy measures are likely to work best to foster retention of older workers as efficient and effective workforce participants?
9. What complementary policy measures are needed to reinforce the effectiveness of training in fostering retention of older workers as workforce participants?
Methodology
This project uses both qualitative and quantitative research to investigate issues related to older workers in the aged care, construction and finance industries. An initial literature review and round of three focus groups will shape the specific issues addressed in a national questionnaire to the three industry groups. The national survey questionnaire will test the generalisability of the first round focus group findings. Union membership lists for older workers will provide a means of accessing large national samples of older workers in the three industry categories. A second round of focus groups will validate the interpretations of the survey data by the principal researchers and inform the overall findings of the research project. The study will produce industry specific reports and a comprehensive project report.
Organisations
Integrated Research Consultants provide consultancies in sociology and practice of education, vocational education, Asian and Islamic studies, language training (ESL, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia), Mechanical Engineering and Software Engineering. The Consultants have experience in a broad range of working environments in Australia and overseas. Among some of the activities undertaken by IRC consultants are language and cultural briefings to members of various public organizations, major consultancy undertaken for the Library of the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore, in regard to the Institute?s air conditioning system, and development of a range of dehumidifier units.
