The Ageing Research Group at the Spanish National Research Council (GIE-CSIC due to its initials in Spanish, http://cchs.csic.es/en/research-group/research-group-aging-gie-csic) presented the “Retaining Senior Talent” initiative at the General Meeting of the Spanish Geographical Society (AGE, again due to its initials in Spanish, https://www.age-geografia.es/site/), which took place at the 26th AGE Conference entitled “Crisis and Spaces of Opportunity” and held in Valencia from 22 to 25 October 2019.
The gradual ageing of the population and the better conditions in which that ageing is taking place are leading public and private organisations to investigate the needs and expectations of older persons, both in the workplace and upon retirement. Organisations are also taking an interest in the skills of these older professionals and the potential opportunities for innovation arising from their presence in the workplace. This interest is often expressed in initiatives supported by professional associations. These possible workplace contributions from older persons comprise what is known as “senior talent” and represent one facet of active ageing.
The AGE is supporting this initiative, the aim of which is to develop a plan for fostering “senior talent” among its members. The specific aim is to identify the motivations, skills, desires, interests and perspectives of older persons. This includes the activities they wish to continue in retirement and those they would like to develop, as well as the actions they believe the AGE should take to promote an appropriate transition from work to retirement and the empowerment of geographers to remain socially active despite having left the labour market.
In order to prepare the report, information was collected via online questionnaire sent to members aged 60 years and over, with a discretionary sample self-selecting by choosing to respond to the questionnaire.
The quantitative findings showed that men tend to retire at an older age and the age at which they would like to retire is higher than in the case of women. The group as a whole reported a high level of motivation in terms of both work and life (8.7 and 8.8 out of 10, respectively). The most motivating aspects of work are learning, teaching, the students, team/peer work, facing new challenges and innovating. Respondents are particularly motivated in their non-work lives by remaining active and healthy, spending time with family, actively participating in various structures (social, political, voluntary), travelling and learning (new contents, technology).
The leading actions that may encourage social participation as people age are developing good health conditions, recognising older persons’ rights, preventing age-based discrimination and facilitating lifelong learning. Both male and female geographers emphasised that a proactive approach is required from political leaders and also individuals and social organisations in order to give prominence to the opinions of older persons and stimulate/promote their social and community participation.
Respondents identified cultural activities, followed by public debates, travel, tourism and education, as the activities in which they would like to participate if they had more time. Men and retired people highlighted a desire to engage in public debate and education. Women and those in work tended to place more emphasis on cultural, travel and tourism, charitable and leisure-based activities.
The process of conducting a qualitative analysis of proposals to promote participation and leadership through the AGE is ongoing.
This research may be useful as a pilot study for a broader and more general design aimed at identifying and managing senior talent at professional associations.
You can see more here
Wordcloud: proposals for the promotion of senior leadership
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