50+ Workforce Matrix

In 2006, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Institute for a Competitive Workforce (ICW), AARP and four local chambers of commerce piloted an employer workshop, The 50+ Workforce 2020: A Blueprint for Innovation in four locations: Bridgeport, Connecticut; Charleston, South Carolina; Fort Mitchell, Kentucky; and Tucson, Arizona. The goal of the workshop was to help employers both understand and address the growing impact of an aging workforce on businesses.

During the workshop, participants identified several critical workforce challenges they believed are being created by an aging workforce, and assessed the urgency of those challenges on their businesses. The challenges were grouped into four broad categories: Skills Shortage, Knowledge Loss, High Retirement Rate and Management Policy. Next, participants selected a category that most closely represented their most urgent workforce challenge, and then worked in small groups to discuss the challenge and potential solutions.  The discussions formed the basis for establishing individualized goals and action plans—strategies and tactics employers might initiate over a six-month period.  At the end of six months, a summary of employer action plans were collected and organized into a matrix.   ...read entire summary here. (pdf)

The matrix is a resource for small and medium-size businesses. It is a collection of strategies, actions, and activities many employers are using to address issues of an aging workforce. 

The matrix can be used by any employer to develop an action plan.

  Upload the 50+ Workforce Matrix Now! (be sure to click "enable macros" to read)