Future of Intergenerational Work
The Future of an Intergenerational Workforce
Amid the noise around AI, the gig economy, outsourcing, automation and all the worry about the future of work it’s easy to ignore the plight of those at the beginning and end of their careers.
School leavers and graduates are struggling to get a foot on the first rung of the career ladder and, at the same time, experienced, older workers are being shoved out to grass too early. Those who have taken a break, often to care for others, find themselves passed over for candidates already in the system. Despite the calls for diversity, employers are hunting in ever smaller pools. At best this is short sighted.
Long term growth and innovation is driven by diversity. Unlocking a skilled, motivated and currently underutilised talent pool at both ends of the age spectrum should surely be a priority, particularly as we are faced with the inevitability of an aging population and no clear plan how to pay for it. It would seem sensible to encourage as many people as possible to get a job.
This report, The Future of Intergenerational Work, written with the help of Katherine Brown, Romila Maharaj and Jacqui Ravenahall shares insights from a series of expert conversations and celebrates the work of some of the organisations that are striving to make a difference.
Our discussions identified six priority areas where governments, organisations and individuals could proactively shape change. These are
- Changing ways of working
- Skills and experience
- Bridging the midlife gap
- Rethinking recruitment
- Silverpreneurs
- Intergenerational collaboration
It is intended as a stimulus for further discussion and we welcome your comments and contributions
