Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/mature-teachers-matter/5016510/
Recent census data points to a fundamental shift in the composition of today’s workforce, foretelling of a continuous and serious shortage of skilled workers. Demographers predict that an estimated 76 million baby boomers, (individuals born between 1946-1964) will plan to exit their professions within the decade, but fewer than 48 million workers will be waiting in the wings to replace them (Barbian, 2004). Along with those who are planning to retire by 2005, over half of employees hired within the past eight years will either change their current jobs or voluntarily leave their organizations. Women’s participation in the workforce will steadily climb with an increased focus on jobs outside the traditional career paths of education, health care, and social services (Simmons, 2005).Like the familiar television commercial, center directors might well pose the question, “What’s the cost of losing a mature teacher due to voluntary separation or retirement?” The answer: “Priceless!” Future trends in teacher turnover are expected to place additional burdens on directors as costs associated with hiring and training continue to escalate. More importantly, the consequences of losing the knowledge and skills of mature employees will be significant for many organizations and may seriously impact their capabilities to ...