The rapidly aging global workforce – caused mainly by the number of retirement-eligible employees continuing to work – is both a challenge and major opportunity for corporations, according to a report released by The Conference Board. America’s Aging Workforce Posing New Opportunities and Challenges for Companies

“The maturing workforce is often seen as an issue to be dealt with instead of a great opportunity to be leveraged,”  says Lorrie Foster, Director of Research Working Groups at The Conference Board and co-author of the report with management consultant Lynne Morton and noted author Jeri Sedlar, Senior Advisor to The Conference Board on mature workforce issues. “The skills and knowledge mature workers possess can be utilized to great advantage by a company that knows itself well and can identify its weak areas that can be bolstered by the right mature workers.”

Industries currently feeling the greatest pain in terms of skills shortages are oil, gas, energy, healthcare and government. Leading companies in these sectors are turning to mature workers to ensure future growth and productivity. These companies recognize that a maturing workforce can positively impact customer satisfaction and profitability, but not without effective initiatives designed to make it easier for different generations of workers to work better together.

Popularity: 16% [?]