Existing Workforce
The NWDA is involved in supporting the existing workforce
by:
Demographic changes
There are two key demographic issues that affect the existing
workforce:
Demographic changes leading to an ageing
workforce
Demographic changes from a larger
migrant
workforce
Ageing Workforce
Demographic changes to the Northwest labour market will see an
increase in the over 50 population - which will grow by 25% over
the next 20 years - and a decrease in the number of new entrants
into the workforce. Government changes to the State Pension Age and
the likely removal of a statutory retirement age will mean a rapid
change in the working age profile.
The Northwest already has a shortage of people in work, which is
contributing to the Gross Value Added gap in the region, compared
to the national average. Employers will need to actively engage
with the ageing workforce as well as doing more to attract new
talent if this gap is to close.
The NWDA provides the core funding to 5050 Vision: the Northwest
Forum on Ageing, which promotes the understanding of issues
relating to demographic change in the over 50s. In April 2009, 5050
Vision launched Everybody’s Future: A Framework for Ageing in the
Northwest, which promotes abolishing the retirement age and
retaining more over-50s in the workforce. Our work with 5050 Vision
is supported by the Single
Equality Scheme. The NWDA also supports the Time &
Experience initiative.
Migrant Workforce
In 2004, the European Union expanded to include: Czech Republic;
Estonia; Hungary; Latvia; Lithuania; Poland; Slovakia; and
Slovenia. This expansion has created an influx of highly motivated
and often highly skilled entrants to the labour market.
However, the region’s employers cannot rely on such abundant
labour in the future, partly due to the UK being in a period of
economic uncertainty, and partly because other European markets -
such as Germany - will be opening over the next few years.
The Northwest must actively seek to retain its migrant workforce
as well as attracting new migrant workers. The NWDA supports this
by providing core funding to Migrant Workers
Northwest, who work to:
- Ensure employers develop good employment and recruitment
practices for migrant workers
- Ensure the workers themselves are aware of their rights
- Help the region retain this highly motivated, highly skilled
workforce