NI employers explore the opportunities associated with an ‘Ageing Workforce’

Over one hundred and twenty business people from across Northern Ireland attended the fifth annual Healthy Working Lives Conference at Riddel Hall, Belfast on Thursday 2 March to explore our ageing population at work.

The Age at Work conference, delivered by Business in the Community in partnership with the Public Health Agency (PHA), aimed to inform employers about the changing demographics within the workplace and encouraged them to consider the opportunities and challenges that this presents.

Deborah McConnell, Head of Workplace, Business in the Community, said: “The number of over 65 year olds in Northern Ireland is predicted to increase by 75% in the next twenty years* - we are all living and working longer. This shift in demographics is having a real impact on employers who now need to be able to manage as many as five generations within the workplace.”

Attracting delegates from across the public, private and voluntary sectors, the half-day event featured expert speakers from local and national businesses and academia, highlighting key issues such as workforce planning, health and wellbeing and managing multi-generational workplaces.

Valerie Watts, Interim Chief Executive of the PHA, said: “With people living longer they are also able to work longer, which offers many opportunities for employers, who will have workers of multiple generations working side-by-side learning and sharing each other’s experiences which will enhance the diversity of the workforce.

“Employers have to become more skilled in creating healthier working environments and it’s important to learn from those who have taken positive steps to improve health and wellbeing in the workplace and motivate others to do the same.”

If you would like to find out more about Age at Work, please contact deborah.mcconnell@bitcni.org.uk, or call (028) 9046 0606.