"We find that between 1990 and 2020 around three quarters of occupations have seen their age-friendliness increase and employment in above- average age-friendly occupations has risen by 49 million. These findings point to the need to frame the rise of age-friendly jobs in the context of other labour market trends and imperfections."
- National Bureau of Economic Research NBEC
(September,2022)


​The Silver Economy


The aging population is creating a market for goods and services that cater to seniors and boomers. This is the “silver economy”. The demand for all manner and kinds of medical devices is exploding. Health care services are expanding. Technologies that cater to making physical activities in the home manageable by elders are getting a welcome reception. Retirees are prime consumers of tourism. You get the picture. Take a look around your community and you’ll encounter all manner and types of employment and business opportunities in the “silver economy”.


Micro -Credentialism

  • Micro-credentialism refers to the trend of earning niche specialized credentials or certifications to demonstrate competency in a particular skill or knowledge area. Micro credentials are typically acquired through intensive short- term programs that are increasingly being delivered on-line. Micro-credentials are aligned with competencies required in the “new economy”.
  • Many on-line micro-credential programs enable the registrant to learn comfortably at their own pace. They’re ideal fits for boomers who want to learn while they earn in their present employment. Many organizations are implementing micro-credential tuition programs.
  •  For retirees micro-credentials provide opportunities to undertake self-managed exploratory learning experiences. You get to take advantage of your personalized “first attempt at learning” F.A.I.L. and experience that all important “OOPs” I here’s what I now need to do.


Welcome to the world of
B.A.R.E.A.
Boomers Active Retirement Employment Advisory

  • Entire industries have transitioned into an intergenerational age- friendly mode where an increasing amount of work can be done remotely and is home based.
  • The foundation for the new "GIG" economy are contract assignments, casual employment and part-time work; much of it remote based.
  • These are all the attributes of boomer focused retirement friendly work- places. Your home is no longer just your castle. It’s now your place of business.


​Act I
Time for a Workout to Work Things Out
First things first.

  • Take a look around at the business you’re now working in or the job you’re working at. Your organization is undergoing changes in the nature and function of the jobs and the way work is being done. You know it because you’re living it week by week.
  • “They’re coming to get you”. Yes, “agism” is in play in  what is ostensibly this intergenerational new era of work.
  •  Corporate culture has been conditioned to equate the title of “senior executive” in the workplace as a person to respect because of their years of experience and the knowledge and expertise they’ve accumulated. Conversely, an employee who is a “senior” with years of experience in that same organization is too often labelled as a person whose time up is imminent.
  • What you need to do is to “get to them” prior to them “getting to you”. Be creative. Carve out a position in your organization that you want and have the skills base to perform. That position should be flexible and be capable of being performed in a manner that is cost effective for the organization and flexible for you in the sense that it facilitates working in a retirement mode.

That’s presuming this is what you want.
  1. If not start looking at opportunities elsewhere and position yourself to be an attractive candidate.
  2.  Don’t wait for the axe to fall. Start swinging your own axe.


​Act II
The New You

 
  • You’re either a retiree or on the verge of becoming one. This may have been your decision or one that was made by others. Either way, and for whatever reason you’re still in work mode.
  • Take a breath. Don’t just jump back in. Think back about what you’ve done in that former work life. What were you good at and not so good at. What didn’t you like and, more importantly, what did you like in your former work life?
  •  Pace yourself. Think outside the conventional 40- hour work week box and become conversant with the “gig” economy, flex work and remote work.
  •  Once you figure out the best “new you” retiree work fit link with an organization that has a retiree employment network.  


​Act III
The Encore Career

  1. You’ve done well in your career. You’re financially secure.
  2. You’ve done good. You’ve been a good family person and parent. You’re proud of your kids and they’re proud of.
  3. It’s an ideal time to make a contribution if that’s what you feel like deep down. You’re now positioned to exit what you’ve done well at in your career and give something back to your community.
  4. It might entail making a reality of that dream you always had when you were young just tucked away while you pursued. Your now in a position to “ignite that passion” and make that dream a reality.
    • That reality can be making a go of a business you always knew there was a need for in the community but nobody seemed to care to take the time and effort to get on it.
    • You have the wherewithal to make it happen.
    • Or this could be that once in your lifetime opportunity to volunteer with a charity or non-governmental organization (NGO) that you’ve been donating to but will now get a value add with your expertise.


​Act IV

This is a big picture. You need to talk to someone who knows what they’re talking about and can act as your “Sherpa Guide”