Age Management: Working after 60?

Background
The demographic transition has pervasive effects on work life and society. The working population will be older, and this requires work life reforms to enable longer work careers for experienced workers. The employability rate for the 55-64-year-old working population has been set by the European Union to be 50% in the year 2010, which is about 10% higher than the average current rate in the member states. The actual retirement age, which is close to 60 years today, should be raised by 5 years. Working after the age of 60 should be strongly promoted and supported in order to reach this goal.

Objectives
The aim of the fourth NIVA course on Age Management focuses on finding solutions, analysing and collecting experiences for a longer and better work life after the age of 60+. New social innovations are needed. The newest research findings and best practices will be introduced and interactive workshops will be organised. Fruitful dialogue will be initiated between the academics and practitioners.

Target group
Occupational health and safety experts, trainers, human resource managers, as well as policy makers for work life and retirement issues are the main target groups. 

Main topics

• Age management: New dimensions and experiences
• Human resources of older workers
• Work life of older workers: current situation, need for reforms
• Promotion of the work ability of older workers 
• Best practices at work
• Retirement process

Course structure
The course will consist of lectures, group work and discussions.

Final announcement
Available September 2005. 

Location and accommodation
The course will take place in Saariselkä, Lapland. Saariselkä is located in the largest area of wild country in Europe, 200 km north from the Arctic Circle. The greatest attraction is the splendid mountainous landscape. There are about 250 km cross country ski tracks and 12 downhill slopes in this area. The weather in March is usually nice and sunny the temperature ranging from -10 Cº to
-15 Cº.

Saariselkä is easy to reach by FINNAIR daily flights from Helsinki to Ivalo. The flight time is only 1,5 hours, and from the Ivalo airport there is bus transportation from each flight directly to the conference hotel taking about 20 minutes. You can also come by train, taking the overnight sleeper to the city of Rovaniemi, then continuing on by bus (for more information, please visit: www.saariselka.fi). 

The course starts on Monday afternoon, 20 March at 16.00 with registration, and ends on Friday, 24 March by lunch time. It will be possible to enjoy all kinds of free-time activities during the extended lunch breaks (from 12.00 to 16.00). We recommend you to take along warm winter clothing and proper shoes (otherwise you will need only casual clothing).

Accommodation has been arranged by NIVA from Monday to Friday at Hotel Riekonlinna, which is a high-class holiday and conference hotel (www.riekonlinna.fi). The total price of a single room with full board is EUR 650 and of a shared double room EUR 480/person. These prices include breakfast, lunch, dinner, and two coffee breaks every course day, plus a special Lappish dinner with entertainment on Thursday evening.
Please, note that you have to pay for your accommodation when leaving the hotel. You can pay either in cash or by your credit card. All major credit cards are accepted. More detailed information will be given in the confirmation letter, which will be sent to the participants after the registration deadline.

It is highly recommended to book the domestic flights Helsinki-Ivalo-Helsinki in good time before the course, because March is very popular winter holiday season in Saariselkä. If necessary, local FINNAIR travel bureaus can give you more information and assistance when making your travel plans and reservations.

Course secretary
Pirjo Turtiainen
NIVA
Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A
FI-00250 Helsinki, FINLAND
Tel. +358 30 474 2349
E-mail: pirjo.turtiainen@ttl.fi http://www.niva.org/courses/2006/20_24_03_06.htm