Learning later in life – uncovering the potential of investing in an ageing workforce

Cedefop and the European Commission are jointly organising a two-day international seminar on learning later in life and the impact of investing in an ageing workforce.
To be held in Brussels on 21-22 September 2011, the seminar will be an international assembly of researchers, policy-makers and experts. It will contribute to the European Year for Active Ageing and Intergenerational Solidarity 2012 by providing a solid basis for further work. Cedefop invites contributions to the seminar. For more information, please refer to the call for papers.
Cedefop (the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training) and the European Commission are jointly organising a two-day international seminar on learning later in life and the impact of investing in an ageing workforce. To be held in Brussels on 21-22 September 2011, the seminar will be an international assembly of researchers, policy-makers and experts. Active ageing policies are emerging in many EU Member States. The seminar aims to stimulate dialogue between research, practice and policy to support evidence-based policies for active ageing. While providing new insights, the event will also identify how research can fill gaps in our knowledge on this topic. The theme is highly relevant academically and politically. It will contribute to the European Year for Active Ageing and Solidarity between Generations 2012 by providing a solid basis for further work. Cedefop will publish the best  contributions to complement previous work on ageing and workplace learning. After the event, policy relevant conclusions and recommendations will be disseminated to stakeholders to support future initiatives linked to the upcoming European year.
Demographic changes in Europe will have a major impact on its society and economy. In recent decades, research on an ageing workforce in general and ageing workers in particular has increased significantly. Attention has, for example, been given to working patterns and needs of ageing workers and the factors that promote or inhibit longer working lives. Assuming that learning plays a major role in promoting longer and successful working lives and smooth transition to retirement, the learning patterns of ageing workers have been examined and insights into how to design and facilitate their learning at work have emerged.
Despite the increase in research, there is little solid empirical research available on the impact and potential of learning later in life and of investing in an ageing workforce. More insight is needed into the impact of policies aiming to keep people in the labour force (productive ageing) and into the conditions that need to be in place to ensure that we can tap the potential of an ageing workforce. Solid empirical evidence can encourage companies and individuals to invest in learning later in life and inform vocational education and training policy-making.