Creativity needed in face of labour shortages

If there is an upside of the current economic crisis it is that a greater number of people will remain in the workforce longer than they may have planned to, say six months ago. I appreciate some will consider calling this an upside a little strange. My point in doing so is to show the need for managements to think outside the square.

The current economic meltdown is temporary, it is a blip on the future and will have only a small impact upon a looming, more significant issue - that being the exit of baby boomers from the workplace over the next twenty years.

Look around you. What is the average age of people involved in service delivery? I don't know the exact answer however I can see what you see - the majority are middle aged. Let's assume the average age is 45 years. In twenty years all those people aged 45 and above will have retired. I can tell you two other facts. This group of baby boomers represents around 25% of the population (including those already retired). The next group coming through represents around 15% of the population. The numbers coming into the workplace are less than are retiring - and much less than the total needed to maintain reasonable economic growth!

Our sector needs to retain as many mature workers as possible, for as long as possible. Let's identify what it is that makes them want to retire and then remove the cause - create a solution that enables them to remain productive for as long as they wish to contribute.

Older people are a fountain of knowledge and experience. Let's not throw away years of hard gained knowledge. Younger workers require access to that knowledge. Identify those mature workers with the ability to teach and coach, then let them become teachers and mentors to those coming into the system. The added cost will be low compared to the value of the benefits.

Look at changing the way work is done or changing how we go about working. Adjust the work to suit the needs of the worker. How work is done is not nearly as important as what is achieved. Utilise technology, modify places of work and adapt to get the job done.

Let The Journey Continue
John Coxon
Taking You From Frontline Manager to CEO
Email john@johncoxon.com.au
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