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Participation in and use of skills development for work ability and expected retirement age: a cross-sectional study among senior workers

  • 0Musculoskeletal Disorders and Physical Work Load, The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Frontiers in Public Health +

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March 5, 2025

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March 5, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Skills development initiatives, including formal education and peer-to-peer training, are linked to improved work ability and a longer expected retirement age for senior workers. These findings highlight the importance of continuous learning for workforce sustainability.

Area Of Science

  • Gerontology
  • Occupational Health
  • Adult Education

Background

  • Europe faces an aging population, necessitating strategies to prolong working lives.
  • Skills development is proposed as a means to enhance work ability and extend careers, but its precise impact remains unclear.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To investigate the association between skills development and work ability among senior workers.
  • To examine the relationship between skills development and expected retirement age in older employees.

Main Methods

  • A 2022 web-based questionnaire survey of 22,544 Danish state employees aged 55 and above.
  • Analysis using Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) to assess participation in courses, formal education, and other skills development.
  • Multivariate adjustment for union, sex, and age, with weighting applied.

Main Results

  • Formal education was associated with a 0.68-year increase in expected retirement age.
  • Other skills development (peer-to-peer training, self-study) showed a positive association with work ability (0.20-year difference).

Conclusions

  • Participation in skills development positively correlates with both work ability and expected retirement age.
  • Targeted skills development programs can support workforce sustainability and help individuals extend their working lives.

Keywords:

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