Research Report Skills-Based Hiring and Older Workers
Barbara Butrica, Stipica Mudrazija
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In response to a perceived skills gap, employers are increasingly hiring workers based on their specific skills and competencies. Skills-based hiring could disadvantage older workers, particularly those with low wages, if their skills are no longer relevant, or it could benefit them if they have the desired skills but not college degrees. Our review of research studies and the semistructured interviews with stakeholders suggest that skills-based hiring could help reduce age-related bias in hiring and in the workplace and help low-wage older workers overcome challenges stemming from the lack of a traditional degree or the inability to change careers. To do this, however, the skills-based hiring paradigm must undergo changes ranging from larger systemic ones, such as investing in expanding access to real-time labor-market information and developing a universally accepted credentials and qualifications framework, to providing appropriate counseling and tailored training options to older workers, especially those with low wages.

Research Areas Aging and retirement Workforce
Tags Older workers Older adults’ economic well-being Employment Employment discrimination Job markets and labor force Job training Labor force Workers in low-wage jobs
Policy Centers Income and Benefits Policy Center