Initiative addresses aging workforce

By 2010, nearly one in three workers in the U.S. will be over the age of 50 and there will be fewer youths entering the workforce. This graying labor market has many organizations concerned.

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is working with the AARP in the Alliance for an Experienced Workforce, a collaborative initiative to help employers foster workplaces that engage and utilize the skills of workers over the age of 50.

“A skilled and experienced workforce is required to assure that technology is used properly. Employers that fail to attract and keep the age 50 and over workforce lose a wealth of experience, skill and knowledge that these employees have gained by performing work at each rung of the career ladder,” CompTIA President and CEO John Venator says.

What’s at risk is losing core competencies, in-house expertise and mentors, which over the long-term can drag down innovation. CompTIA has joined with the AARP and other organizations to reverse this trend. The Alliance for an Experienced Workforce will collaborate on strategies to raise the visibility of this issue and increase opportunities for companies and staff.

CompTIA currently offers several workforce initiatives that are relevant to workers age 50 and older, including its certification program, the CompTIA Tech Career Compass for guidance on IT job roles, and a new program called Creating Futures that helps people prepare for employment in technology.