Older Workers’ Learning Within Organizations: Issues and Challenges

As increasing numbers of older adults stay in the workforce or engage in encore careers, they are subjected to diverse issues and challenges. The new dynamics of the workplace in a global market exert pressure on older workers and employers alike in which training and development has a potentially significant function for achieving greater productivity and job satisfaction. This article discusses the changing workplace and the diverse range of learning opportunities that may be available to older workers. The article then addresses selected issues of overcoming stereotypical assumptions about the capabilities of older workers, age stratification at work, and the differing perspectives of managers and employees to learning opportunities. The article argues for a negotiated process of learning where significant autonomy is assumed by workers.