Working and ageing - Cedefop - Europa
Working and ageing - Cedefop - Europa
Working and ageing - Cedefop - Europa
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<strong>Working</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>ageing</strong><br />
Guidance <strong>and</strong> counselling for mature learners<br />
Nordic countries have long traditions in lifewide <strong>and</strong> lifelong educational<br />
opportunities <strong>and</strong> participation for all. The problem of an <strong>ageing</strong> workforce <strong>and</strong><br />
population was identified early in Finl<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> the challenge has been met by<br />
means of extensive cooperation <strong>and</strong> a comprehensive policy agenda,<br />
although one of the challenges is that the population is <strong>ageing</strong> faster than in<br />
the EU on average. Finl<strong>and</strong> has been described as a model country in <strong>ageing</strong><br />
policy with a particularly strong focus on workability, at all ages <strong>and</strong> with a<br />
perspective embracing the total population.<br />
The major working life development programme, Tykes, deals with<br />
workability with emphasis on a preventative perspective (Sørensen <strong>and</strong><br />
Wathne, 2007). Researchers also studied older workers <strong>and</strong> their<br />
management at the workplace. For example, Ilmarinen (2006) from the<br />
Finnish Institute of Occupational Heath (FIOCH) defined the approach of older<br />
workers as age-management which focuses on managementʼs crucial role<br />
<strong>and</strong> responsibility. Another government programme (NOSTE) aims to increase<br />
adultsʼ educational level. There is a high prevalence of liberal adult education,<br />
as offered by public high-schools <strong>and</strong> full-time municipal adult education, as<br />
well as through active labour-market policies for the unemployed <strong>and</strong> workrelated<br />
education <strong>and</strong> training (Tuijnman, 2003).<br />
From such examples of good practice come ideas for development of<br />
models <strong>and</strong> recommendations to inform practice more widely.<br />
8.6. Perspectives of older workers<br />
From this brief consideration of national <strong>and</strong> organisational developments,<br />
focus shifts to the individual worker. A picture of their diversity of experiences<br />
<strong>and</strong> situations, needs <strong>and</strong> concerns is emerging from literature. Perceptions<br />
of older workers are mixed, they have lower energy, are less healthy <strong>and</strong> resist<br />
change; positives include experience, loyalty <strong>and</strong> good social skills (Pärnänen,<br />
2006, p. 1). Perceptions as to value <strong>and</strong> misconceptions of older workers as<br />
to productivity also need to be debunked. There are stereotypes which<br />
reinforce negative images of older workers, however these should be refuted.<br />
Productivity can increase with age, <strong>and</strong> older workers demonstrate<br />
experience, stability, <strong>and</strong> reliability (Simonazzi, 2009, p. 24).<br />
Patterns emerge which can contribute to plans of action for individuals,<br />
employer <strong>and</strong> human resources policies <strong>and</strong> practices <strong>and</strong> national policy<br />
development. In a paper analysing literature on older workers in the UK, Flynn<br />
explored factors influencing older peopleʼs work patterns <strong>and</strong> predisposition to