Search results

Early labour force exit is a significant challenge associated with the ageing workforce in Australia and other developed countries. In the current study, 1027 mature workers aged over 50 years and employed in regional areas of Australia were surveyed on their interest in transitional employment following retirement and their aspirations for transitional employment. Two general perceptions of transitional employment emerged. The first was transitional employment as an opportunity for learning and career development or change, which was most commonly aspired to by respondents with more than six years to retirement, a university education or a professionally managerial role. The second was transitional employment as it is more traditionally viewed: as a chance to continue on in one's current role at reduced hours post retirement. Implications of the current study include the divergence of transitional employment and training and development aspirations amongst a mature aged cohort, as well as mature aged workers' perceptions of organisational management's roles in supporting transitional employment.