Introduction
Anthony St. James
Before: An immigrant Mechanical Engineer with an MBA and many years of professional and management experience, Anthony came to Canada four years ago and has been moving from job to job, trying to start a new life, in a new country.
Now: Anthony has found a supervisory job through an agency and networking. It is a good fit for his family and work balance, with good pay, short travel time and no weekend work. It also has provided more time for personal and professional development and community involvement.
Why: By working for a smaller, younger start-up company, there are plenty of opportunities for improvement and development, which Anthony loves. It also allows him to widen his circle of friends being relatively new to the country.
Details: The position is 40 to 50 hours a week on a regular basis.
Advice: A human’s capacity to learn never stops regardless of age. You can learn almost anything you want as long as you want to and persevere in it. Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
Across Canada, employers are bracing themselves for a looming shortage of workers. Indeed, many companies are already contending with challenges in recruiting the workers they need to fill positions at all levels including management, technical, clerical, skilled trades and many professional positions. Forecasts show the skills shortage will grow over the next five to twenty years, caused in part by an aging population and declining birthrates.
One solution to this challenge will be for businesses to make better use of older, more experienced workers. Those companies that find ways to retain and use the knowledge and skills of their older workers and those that are able to recruit and put these skills to work will find they have a very valuable resource.
The Resource Kit for Experienced Workers offers information and tips for older workers seeking employment and for those who may wish to communicate with employers about employment and retirement needs and preferences.
