Description

The existing literature of older workers and careers
focuses on the challenges for older workers in maintaining
employment in the new environment, revealing increased
demands to adapt to an environment of uncertainty and
decreased job or career security, compounded by age and
discriminatory factors. The current career management
literature proposes so far under-researched models of
sustaining careers in this uncertain environment, including
ideas of career resilience, protean career behaviours and
career competencies. The findings of this study contributes
to the literature a predominantly positive picture of
employed older workers: despite exposure or
restructuring,redundancies, organisational change and
regional economic downturns in the 1990â s,
most exhibit career behaviours and on going learning in ways
that foster their progress and sustain their employment and
their careers. Undertaken in a regional setting, themes
emerge of detachment from traditional career concepts and
practices, flexible patterns of employment, multiple job
holding and self-employment. The effective practices of
career management suggested by existing models are affirmed
and extended.