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 />
carry out self-assessment of the skills they have acquired. Overall three<br />
guiding tools were produced, one for enterprises, one for employees <strong>and</strong> one<br />
for use in training institutions. Each of these groups has a specific view on<br />
employment <strong>and</strong> qualification in the advanced <strong>ageing</strong> period <strong>and</strong> therefore<br />
specific dem<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> needs. (Husemann et al., 2007). The AgeQual project<br />
also focused on promoting regional qualification networks. The region is the<br />
starting point for building such a policy network. Specific frame conditions for<br />
interaction between regional actors have to be considered. Region-specific<br />
resources should be used to achieve the aims of active networking. Regionspecific<br />
coordination <strong>and</strong> conflict potentials have to be identified <strong>and</strong><br />
considered by setting up a regional network of regional actors. SMEs in<br />
particular do not have information <strong>and</strong> resources regarding qualification<br />
needs. These enterprises need advice about their enterprise qualification<br />
profile <strong>and</strong> future qualification developments. Successful qualification<br />
strategies should be based on existing relationships between regional actors<br />
<strong>and</strong> on knowledge <strong>and</strong> competences of these actors. Active networking means<br />
establishing a win-win situation for all involved. However, active networking<br />
<strong>and</strong> management of networks will always operate in the space between<br />
conflict <strong>and</strong> cooperation.<br />
In Thuringia, a network of qualification counsellors exists ( 22 ).Qualification<br />
counsellors work at regional level <strong>and</strong> regularly visit enterprises to discuss<br />
qualification dem<strong>and</strong>. They use the three guiding tools developed by the<br />
AqueQual project to enlarge their normal working field to cover age-related<br />
strategies. The strategic aim is to improve cooperation between enterprises<br />
<strong>and</strong> regional institutions <strong>and</strong> support regional structures (not only enterprise<br />
level) to increase employment of <strong>ageing</strong> workers (Husemann, 2010).<br />
3.6. Summary<br />
Discussion about the <strong>ageing</strong> population <strong>and</strong> labour force is dominated by<br />
political discourse focusing on the supply side of the labour market. Forecast<br />
growth in the population outside the labour force is considered the major<br />
challenge. To prevent – or at least reduce – anticipated growth of the ʻsocietal<br />
burdenʼ, most governments have already initiated – or are preparing – reforms<br />
of pension <strong>and</strong> social security schemes aimed at increasing employment of<br />
older persons <strong>and</strong> prolonging their stay in the labour force.<br />
( 22 ) See http://www.qualifizierte-fachkraefte.de [17.6.2011].