Effect of Training for Old-Age Employment and Retirement Transitions – Comparative Longitudinal Evidence from Share Data

European and national ageing policies give high priority to increasing retirement age and employability of older people, but still no effective solution exists. Lifelong learning (LLL) is an important tool to address these challenges. It aims to increase employability, alleviate risks and consequences of destandardised working lives, improve empowerment and adjustment to the changing reality. In result LLL should support increase employment in older cohorts and increase the average retirement age. However evidence shows that lifelong learning policies does not necessarily contribute to expected improvements and the net effect of interventions is often low. Unequal access to education, selective approach to training in companies and the effects of accumulation of advantages and disadvantages may also contribute to growth of inequalities throughout the lifecourse.

The primary goal of this presentation is to provide empirical insights into the patterns and consequences of human capital investments in older ages. It is based on comparative (European) and longitudinal data. It also refers to the policies aimed at lifelong learning that are implemented within European ageing and cohesion programmes. The presentation outlines the findings of the Horizon2020 Maria Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship granted project LEEP about longitudinal evidence on human capital investments in older age.

DATA. The analysis are based on data from waves no. 4, 5 and 6 (2010/11, 2013, 2015) of international panel Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE) for population 50+ and include more than 10 European countries.

METHODS. Panel and multilevel regression models that focus on individual lifecourse trajectories.

RESULTS. The presentation provides evidence on the role of training for employment situation of people aged 50+, their wage trajectories, chances of re-employment and retirement transitions patterns. The results are discussed with reference to public policies.