AARP North Carolina Raises Awareness on 50+ Workers
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2006-07-27 12:05:44.266284-04:00
North Carolinians 50 and older who are able and willing to work will be increasingly in demand in the future, and AARP's volunteer speaker's bureau is helping spread that message to employers.
"With an aging workforce, many companies will turn to older workers to survive," says North Carolina Cooperative Extension economic specialist Michael Walden. "Workers under age 35 will increase less than ten percent this decade, while workers between 55 and 64 will increase 50 percent."
Twelve volunteer speakers trained at the AARP North Carolina state office are appearing before human resource managers' groups and other organizations across North Carolina to raise awareness of the pending knowledge loss and shortage of skilled workers as baby boomers near the traditional retirement age.
"We're encouraging companies to assess their workforce by determining who holds key knowledge and projecting retirements over the next decade," said volunteer Mary Cicocki. "A lot of those approaching retirement age actually want to stay in the workforce, but there will be competition for them, with companies offering flexible working hours and other inducements to retain or recruit 50+ workers."
The AARP Employer Resource Center is an aid to employers that includes tools and strategies for attracting and retaining older workers, findings from current research and information on the Best Employers for Workers over 50 recognition program. This site also provides information on the Alliance for an Experienced Workforce, which helps employers create workplaces that engage and utilize the skills of workers age 50+.
SmartBrief, is a bi-weekly newsletter from AARP that helps company leaders and human resource professionals monitor the latest news, research and workplace trends about America's aging workforce.
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