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Can Older Workers Be Retrained? Canadian Evidence from Worker-Firm Linked Data

Author

Listed:
  • Fang, Tony

    (Memorial University of Newfoundland)

  • Gunderson, Morley

    (University of Toronto)

  • Lee, Byron

    (China Europe International Business School)

Abstract

Based on Statistics Canada's worker-firm matched Workplace and Employee Survey, our econometric analysis indicated that the average probability of receiving training was 9.3 percentage points higher for younger (25-49) compared to older (50+) workers. Slightly more than half of that gap is attributed to older workers having a lower propensity to receive training after controlling for the characteristics that affect training. Their lower propensity to receive training tended to prevail across 54 different training measures. We find that older workers can be trained, but this requires training that is designed for their needs including: slower and self-paced instruction; hands-on practical exercises; modular training components that build in stages; familiarizing them with new equipment; and minimizing required reading and the amount of material covered.

Suggested Citation

  • Fang, Tony & Gunderson, Morley & Lee, Byron, 2021. "Can Older Workers Be Retrained? Canadian Evidence from Worker-Firm Linked Data," IZA Discussion Papers 14282, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    • Handle: RePEc:iza:izadps:dp14282
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    File URL: https://docs.iza.org/dp14282.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Weller, Jürgen, 2022. "Tendencias mundiales, pandemia de COVID-19 y desafíos de la inclusión laboral en América Latina y el Caribe," Documentos de Proyectos 48610, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    worker-firm matched data; older workers; training; Canada;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • J14 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of the Elderly; Economics of the Handicapped; Non-Labor Market Discrimination
    • J18 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Public Policy
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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