Keeping people working past retirement age is an option being presented to Tauranga companies as a way of avoiding an expected skills and labour shortage.

As increasing numbers of baby boomers reach retirement age over the coming years, reports point to a decreased labour supply and a sudden loss in skills and experience.

Photo: File.

Tauranga Chamber of Commerce, Age Concern and Priority One are hosting a one-day forum next week aimed at providing tools to support the transition required as a result of an ageing demographic.

Ahead of the event on Monday, September 21, Age Concern's Adrienne von Tunzelmann says: 'One of the most common ways of dealing with skills shortages is to encourage existing older workers to stay on past retirement age.”

New Zealand is second only to Iceland in terms of employing over 65s among OECD countries. Retirement-aged workers currently make up just five per cent of the workforce, but that figure will grow to 13 per cent by 2036.

A recent report from AUT University and the Equal Employment Opportunities Trust shows that older workers are the least used option in recruitment, coming well behind recruiting more female or immigrant workers.

'This means considering more flexible working arrangements, ensuring jobs are restructured and designed to suit older workers, developing leadership strategies and succession planning,” adds Adrienne.

A recent report from PwC economists on harnessing the power of older workers concludes that countries can add billions of dollars to their economy if they follow best practice in harnessing the potential of their older workers.

The Workforce Ageing Survey 2014 found workers aged 50 and over are seen as valuable and hardworking by employers, and are regarded as more productive and better in a crisis.

'It's important to ensure that your organisation is one that is attractive to older workers, as skill shortages increase and there is more competition for experienced and talented people,” says Tauranga Chamber of Commerce operations manager, Anne Pankhurst.

'More mature workers tend to require lower levels of training and less supervision, are often more reliable and loyal, and have a strong work ethic.

'They have also collected a lifetime of skills and experience, and can provide value as mentors to younger people in an organisation.”

Despite the advantages of older workers and their increasing value in relation to future skill shortages, most New Zealand organisations do not have a policy in place to address the issue of ageing workers.

The forum on September 21 will include workshops to show businesses how they can become the employer of choice as they face the next frontier of transition as our workforce ages.

It will also help people explore opportunities when planning for the latter stages of their career paths. The event is at Mount Cosmopolitan Club from 8am to 4pm. Morning tea and lunch is included, and the cost is $75. Contact the Tauranga Chamber of Commerce on: 577 9823 for details.