Employing the Region’s Assets: Baby Boomers Meeting New England’s Skilled Workforce Needs
The New England Public Policy Center's 4th Annual Conference
This Event Has Ended
Current demographic trends in New England point to a potential shortage of skilled labor as the Baby Boomers begin to retire over the next few years and the region's working age population begins to shrink. With current benefits and workplace policies that nudge older workers in the direction of retirement, older workers are one of the largest untapped human capital resources in the region.
The New England Public Policy Center's 4th annual conference explored the role that older professionals can play in meeting the region's labor force needs over the next 20 to 30 years. The conference featured presentations that investigated the changing demographic and labor force trends in New England and the US and examined what employers, employees, and the public sector could do to lengthen the labor force participation of the population age 55 and older.
Conference Report
- Employing the Region's Assets: Baby Boomers Meeting New England's Skilled Workforce Needs
by Heather Brome, senior policy analyst and Sandra Hackman, editor - Resources on Aging Workers(subject bibliography)
Agenda and Presentations
updated December 8, 2008
Overview: Is there a potential labor shortage on the horizon?
8:30 am – 8:45 am |
Welcome and opening remarks |
8:45 am – 9:15 am |
Overview of changing trends in skilled labor force and work behavior of older workers |
9:15 am – 9:30 am | Commentary with a focus on New England Andrew Sum, Northeastern University |
9:30 am – 9:50 am | Facilitated Q & A |
9:50 am – 10:15 am | Break for networking; coffee in New England Economic Adventure |
What are the potential challenges to lengthening the labor supply of older workers?
10:15 am – 10:45 am |
Challenges individuals face to working longer |
10:45 am – 11:15 am | Challenges employers face in hiring and retaining older workers Steven Sass, Boston College |
11:15 am – 11:45 am | Facilitated questions for both presenters |
Practitioner panel discussion and open questions
11:45 am – 12:30 pm |
Practitioner panel discussion |
12:30 pm – 12:50 pm | Facilitated questions for panelists and presenters |
12:50 pm – 1:00 pm | Closing remarks by panel moderator |
1:00 pm | Boxed lunch in New England Economic Adventure |
Related Content
Mismatch in the Labor Market? Ensuring an Adequate Supply of Skilled Labor in New England
New England Study Group Past Meetings
Mismatch in the Labor Market: Measuring the Supply of and Demand for Skilled Labor in New England
Research Forum: Assessing the Impact of New England's Changing Demographics