The “age wave” is coming and it will change the face of the workforce

The “age wave” is coming and it will change the face of the workforce, says Hastings District councillor Sandra Hazlehurst.

By the middle of the century, one in four New Zealanders will be aged over 65 and it is projected that 65 per cent of men and 55 per cent of women over 65 will remain in the work force. “Even more remarkable is the projection that 12 per cent of men and 10 per cent of women aged 80 and over will still be working,” says Ms Hazlehurst.

Council is hosting seminars on how to cope with the changes, both from an employer’s and an employee’s perspective.

“Our population is getting older, and this will inevitably change the way we live, the way we play and most importantly, the way we work.”

The seminars, on May 23 and 24, are being facilitated by Geoff Pearman, whose company Partners in Change offers workforce development services. They include two free public seminars, one in Havelock North and one in Hastings, and a business breakfast in Hastings.

Ms Hazlehurst is encouraging all interested parties to attend the seminars, “and start thinking about the shape of our future workforce”.

It is important to see this as a positive change, and be ready to adjust to make the most of the opportunities, she says.

“Many of today’s workers have no intention of hanging up their hats and heading for the golf course when they hit 65. For a growing number, the intention is to never fully retire in the traditional sense. But the needs and expectations of this mature workforce are very different from their younger counterparts. Understanding and addressing these needs will become increasingly important for businesses as workforce demographics change.

“Organisations may need to rethink their workplace structure and offer new ways of working such as flexible hours and job sharing. Opportunities may also need to be explored such as mentoring programmes to ensure skills and experience are passed on to our younger employees.”

Free seminars:

Doing it Differently; life and work after 50: 5.30pm, May 24, Havelock North Function Centre; or noon, May 24, Hastings War Memorial Library, Warrant St, Hastings; to book email: louises@hdc.govt.nz by May 16.

Business breakfast:

The Challenge That Will Not Go Away, 7.30am, May 24, No. 5 Cafe & Larder, 248 SH2, Hastings, $18 per person, to book email:marian@hdc.govt.nz by May 17.

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