Changing demographics: are companies meeting the development needs of an ageing workforce?

an article by Kevin Young (General Manager EMEA at Skillsoft, UK) published in Development and Learning in Organizations Volume 27 Issue 4 (2013)

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of the viewpoint article was to raise awareness around training and development opportunities made available to the over-60s workforce. Recent Skillsoft research, conducted by Opinion Matters, discovered that 93 per cent of UK CEOs do not invest in training and development for their employees who are over the age of 60.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper is a viewpoint article which raises awareness around training and development opportunities made available to the over-60s workforce, following recent Skillsoft research on this issue.

Findings
It is found that 93 per cent of UK CEOs do not invest in training and development for their employees that are over the age of 60.

Practical implications
It is encouraging to see that the UK Government is starting to initiate programs that are aimed at enhancing the over-60s working life and it is time for businesses to take note and not ignore this valuable part of their workforce. If forgotten and not given the appropriate development opportunities, it will be businesses that miss out on this untapped resource.

Originality/value
The paper addresses issues around training and development opportunities made available to the over-60s workforce, in the light of recent research.

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