Older adults are driving workforce innovation in a digital economy. Here's how

As the global workforce shifts due to ageing populations, businesses and governments must recognize the impact and potential of older adults.

According to GetSetUp’s 2024 Workforce Report, older adults are eager to continue working, upskill and contribute meaningfully in a digital-first world. Yet, structural barriers such as ageism, technological gaps and limited flexible job opportunities continue to exclude them from workforce participation.

Digital platforms such as GetSetUp are proving that digital education can bridge these gaps, helping older adults gain financial stability and confidence in digital tools while addressing workforce shortages.

By investing in upskilling programmes, businesses and policy-makers can harness this growing demographic's experience, reliability and adaptability.

Older adults are embracing continual education at unprecedented levels. GetSetUp facilitated more than 5.27 million learning sessions on a variety of topics, equipping older adults with essential career and financial skills as well as tools for healthy ageing and living more independently.

One of the key areas older adults focus on learning is technology and job-related skills to help them better manage their money. The Workforce report highlights that over one-third (34.6%) of older adults want to work post-retirement, with financial security (37.7%) and social engagement (33.3%) as key motivators.

Their employment aspirations are diverse; some seek freelance work, while others want part-time roles or to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. Digital literacy plays a critical role in making these transitions possible, and the demand for online workforce training is growing rapidly.

Despite older adults’ willingness to work, older adults face significant hurdles when re-entering the workforce. According to the report, keeping up with technology (25%) is a major challenge as rapid technological advancements can be intimidating, yet many older adults express a strong desire to learn digital skills to remain competitive.

Next, they cited ageism (21%) as a persistent barrier, limiting job opportunities due to outdated stereotypes about older workers. Additionally, more than 40% of older adults prefer remote or flexible work options, especially as they take on caregiving roles for partners or grandchildren and must navigate their own changing health issues, yet these opportunities are still not widely available.

Addressing these challenges requires a commitment to digital inclusion, equitable hiring practices, and workforce policies that embrace age diversity and the diverse lifestyle changes that come with this natural part of life.

Digital learning platforms have emerged as powerful tools for workforce inclusion. In 2023 alone, GetSetUp hosted more than 233,000 classes focused on finance and employment, reflecting a significant demand for career development, financial literacy and job readiness.

In the US, partnerships with organizations such as the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), libraries, and non-profits further expand access to upskilling opportunities and help steer older adults toward these valuable resources that often they aren’t aware of on their own to even look for.

Programmes like CV building, LinkedIn training, understanding social media, and learning key software for collaboration like Google and Microsoft tools have helped thousands of older adults re-enter the workforce with confidence.

Moreover, digital literacy training covering topics from email security to financial management is helping to keep older adults secure and aware of potential cyber scams as it bridges the technology gap.

On GetSetUp, our programming constantly integrates the latest technology, which shifts this year to help further train this growing demographic in the latest digital tools for work, including artificial intelligence (AI), and the adjustments that come with that. Ultimately, digital resources for learning ensure that older adults can navigate today’s job market with ease.

Encouraging workforce participation among older adults has far-reaching economic and social benefits. According to a study in the American Economic Journal, the US ageing population is expected to slow the country's economic growth at an estimated rate of a decrease of 5.5% GDP per 10% increase in the fraction of the population aged 60+. Countries that want to maintain their GDP need to integrate this essential workforce to ensure the economy can thrive.

Industries facing labour shortages can benefit from an experienced, motivated workforce eager to contribute. Already, according to a Pew Research report, “Some 19% of adults ages 65 and older are employed today. In 1987, only 11% of older adults were working.”

Many reasons affect this, including people staying healthier and living longer and changes in retirement savings, both by governments and private savings that require people to continue working to support themselves. Workforce development programmes focused on older adults can be a solution to both economic and labour market challenges.

The narrative around ageing and work must change. The world is getting older, and governments and economies need to prepare for this shift. Older adults are not a burden on the economy; they are a vital, experienced and innovative segment of the workforce.

As global leaders navigate workforce challenges, they must embrace policies that foster lifelong learning, equitable hiring and digital inclusion. Scalable digital solutions such as those provided by GetSetUp prove that age is not a barrier, but an asset.

It’s time to shift perspectives and recognize that older adults are key drivers of workforce innovation in a digital economy.