A Guide for Human Resource Professionals | Page 2

The Business Case to Hire Experience | 2 INTRODUCTION G ood companies want good people. Today more than ever, Canadian companies face an ongoing challenge to attract and retain skilled employees. Skills and labour shortages, competition for wages, succession planning and industry specific changes are just a few of the reasons to revisit your recruitment practices. According to a recent Statistics Canada survey, there are almost eight million people 45 and older currently working, three million of which are 55 or older. This group of highly skilled and experienced workers have networks, interests and experiences that add value to your business. However, many of these people hit a brick wall when it comes to finding a job. As a national recruitment service for people aged 45 years and over, ThirdQuarter — a division of Skills Connect Inc.— is committed to helping companies reap the benefits of age-diverse workplaces. We actively advocate for this demographic and are working to change perceptions about experienced workers. This handbook presents the business case for hiring experience. It is a guide and invaluable resource for human resource leaders. Inside, you will find tips, insights and best practices from recruitment to retention. You’ll also learn: great interviewing techniques; the positive personal and professional characteristics of mature workers; and how to build and nurture an all-inclusive workforce, among many other practical strategies. We also profile organizations that have successfully embraced age diversity. You will learn from their success. We hope this handbook will give you fresh perspectives on the benefits of adopting and maintaining an age-friendly workplace, and ultimately give your company a competitive advantage.