Recruiting, Hiring and Retaining Older Workers
Roughly 36 percent of individuals aged 55 and older are employed. As companies continue to have difficulty finding talent with the right skills, apprenticeship programs can benefit from attracting and retaining older individuals to help fulfill their workforce needs. The apprenticeship Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) regulations provide protection for individuals 40 years of age and older and provide businesses and other sponsors with the tools necessary to promote inclusion of experienced and knowledgeable workers as apprentices.
On this page you will find information and resources to help sponsors:
- Learn more about hiring, training and retaining older workers
- Avoid discrimination on the basis of age
Businesses in many industry sectors are experiencing worker and skill shortages. The reality is that there are fewer young people available to join the workforce than baby-boomers leaving the workforce. Plus, not all mature workers are ready to stop working, and many are seeking new opportunities and careers. Research shows that many workers over the age of 55 have admirable work habits - including punctuality, reliability, and high regard for necessary safety precautions. Mature workers bring their experience to new situations, helping work teams to see the big picture when tackling unfamiliar challenges.
Workplaces where young and older workers learn and work together can add value for sponsors. Workers of different ages bring diverse skills, experiences and approaches to a work team. This diversity can help employers boost productivity, problem-solving and retention.
Leading employers across industries understand that recruiting, hiring and retaining older workers can enhance their business outcomes. The Apprenticeship Outreach and Recruitment Resources Page provides sponsors with an array of resources to aid recruitment of diverse apprentices.