BEING PRODUCTIVE
Old Dogs Are Learning New Tricks Demand for Mature Workers is Stronger than Ever
collaborated to survey numerous employers and companies throughout 14 Indiana counties to showcase the emerging trends ecently, Gallup published a study that highlighted a truth of today’s older workers. More than 75% of the companies surveyed said that older many Hoosiers are already aware of; the average age of retirement is steadily rising each year. Gallup stated that workers were more reliable and had a better work ethic – certhe average age that current U.S. retirees said they retired is now tainly qualities that every business would hope to find in their 61, compared with 59 in 2003 and 57 in 1993, and that the aver- workers. Many employers also said that older workers had a age retirement age is likely to continue to increase in the years lower absentee rate, and were more knowledgeable about their positions with the company. ahead, as more nonretirees expect to This knowledge has proven valudelay their retirement past age 65. More than 70% of the companies able to many employers, who are inAs the demographics of Indiana’s surveyed said that they are using creasingly placing their mature worklabor pool continue to expand into their aging workers to mentor ers into training roles. More than 70% more mature age ranges, defined as younger workers, either to impart of the companies surveyed said that those over the average retirement age, knowledge and skills or to model they are using their aging workers to shifts begin to emerge in the trends of good work behaviors. mentor younger workers, either to imolder worker’s roles in the workplace part knowledge and skills or to model and their participation in adult congood work behaviors. tinued education. The Tecumseh Area There is, however, one flip side to this coin; though aging Partnership, an aging worker initiative service in West Central Indiana, and Indiana WIRED, an organization that was created by workers serve as a solid model for younger employees, many are the Department of Labor Employment Training Administration, lacking skills in emerging technology. The current trends of older
By Nick Dmitrovich
R
40
www.buildingindiana.com | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2014