Not everyone is ready to retire at 65.
Cost of living increases, an uncertain economy and even changing priorities may be creating a new pool of workers for employers looking for skilled labour in a tight employment market.
For Lori Haugland, a 34-year Telus employee, retirement was a dream come true.
She was thrilled to be living her own life, enjoying friends, travel and exercising.
"It was fantastic. I was telling all of my friends who are not retired to go early, if they can. I was in control of everything in my life. I didn’t have to report to somebody."
Haugland hadn't been out of the work force long when she started to wonder if she needed a new direction — something to provide the passion and enthusiasm that can come with a new job or business.
On social media, an ad for Encore 55+ popped up, and she was curious.
"I wondered, 'What’s available in the job world for people who are retired or are looking for a career transition?"
Over the summer, Haugland was accepted into the five-week online program offered through Douglas College at its Coquitlam campus.
Encore 55+ assists older workers in determining what kind of jobs they would like to do, what skills they need to get hired and what can kind support they require to land a job.
Pivoting to support older workers
Haugland is not alone in reassessing her priorities after a lengthy career.
While many workers nearing official retirement age are happy to leave their jobs, others are looking for work, says Encore 55+ program head Mythra Lagueux.
Encore 55+ has pivoted to support older workers who may feel unprepared for the changing workforce and its reliance on digital technology.
Lageuux told the Tri-City News that the pandemic has changed the work environment in many ways, providing both opportunities and challenges for older workers.
Jobs may be more flexible and remote work may be an opportunity but digital literacy is more important than ever, said Lagueux.
Encore 55+ has changed its program to help workers "adapt to the new landscape."
"Now people need to work," said Lagueux, who said the B.C. government-funded program is trying to help fill gaps in the labour pool with older workers who are ready to work.
For many of these workers, "life has happened," said Lagueux.
They may have been out of the work force looking after children or a sick relative, or left a career but want to stay in the work force.
"Chaos theory" driving jobs market
Chaos theory is now driving the job market, said Lagueux.
Prior to the pandemic, the program was based on "values" and interests; now, it's more closely aligned to workplace skills needed for a 21st century job or gig economy.
"You have to take opportunities as they come and be responsive. It's not going to be linear," she said.
Still, most of the jobs found by Encore 55+ graduates are traditional office jobs, in finance or administration, which suits the majority of workers who apply to the program, Lagueux said.
Everyone finds a job, and there is a 70 per cent retention rate for people who get hired.
Lagueux said employers are happy to hire older workers because they have experience, are responsible, understand workplace demands and tend to stay on the job.
"There are so many jobs to be filled and so mch experience in older workers that we need to be using," said Lagueux.
Lack of confidence is one hurdle that older workers face, and they need to understand that their experience counts for something, and in fact can be quantified for a resume.
As for Haugland, she quickly found a contract job with Douglas College as a "job developer" for another job readiness program.
It has the flexibility she needs, including the ability to work at home for part of the week; it also fits well with her interests and expertise.
"You can transfer life skills into work skills easily," said Haugland, adding, "I never would have thought of this had it not been presented to me. It is important for people like us to understand what the workforce is like now.
"Everyone is in the same boat [but with Encore 55+] you had the camaraderie to talk about it."
• January is the next intake. You can apply online or call 604-777-6147. Visit here to learn more about the program.
