The word has to get out to employers that because of the huge demographic change that is taking place in the workplace, they must seriously examine their recruitment and retention policies. There are articles appearing every day about this issue.

HSBC, one of the largest banks in the world with over 110 million customers in 77 countries and territories, recently released a study on the future of retirement. It stresses that no barriers should be put in place by governments or employers to prevent employees from working past what has been the traditional retirement age. It recognizes that with people living longer they can work to any age if they are able or want to. It recommends mandatory retirement should be abolished and new policies must be put in place that will allow this to happen. This report is only one of many that are being published that will change the attitudes and policies of employers with regard to their human resource practices. It will change the face of our workforce in favour of hiring and retaining the older worker because employers are beginning to understand the importance and value of keeping or recruiting them.

I was recently asked to speak to the Ottawa chapter of The Canadian Association of Pre-Retirement Planners (CAPP). I began by asking the question: In today's environment is there really a date when retirement begins? The answer is no. Retirement is a moving target that stretches well beyond age 65. Although people may take early retirement, it doesn't mean they want to stop working or being productive and useful. All they want is a change, maybe a rearrangement in their work schedule but not to stop work forever. Employers are waking up to the fact that they should not let this experience and knowledge walk out the door. It is too valuable. It can be used to mentor and educate younger employees. Harnessed and utilized, it can make business more successful.

Prime50 is here to help employers recruit and retain the 50+ worker in different ways. We have an inexpensive job board that allows them to post jobs for any position in their industry or organization. They can also search our database without posting a job. As well, Prime50 has a Prime50 Search Group in every Centre which means we will search for the most qualified candidate, interview them, check their references, and test them to determine if they will fit in to the employer's culture and the working environment. After compiling all this data, we give a written report to the employer recommending the top candidates.

It's Prime50's goal to help employers find suitable candidates for full time, part time, temporary, contract or project positions. We are doing our best to educate and influence the employer that Prime50 has the very best candidates for their needs and that all the false perceptions about 50+ workers is just that: false.