Catherwood LibraryILR School

Like their white-collar counterparts, many blue-collar workers are seeking ways to continue working as they get older, either because they can't afford to retire or don't want to. Yet blue-collar work can be increasingly exhausting as bodies age and wear out. Employees also find that companies are reluctant to hire or retain their older workers as the number of such jobs decrease. Trying to find jobs that will use their wealth of knowledge and experience without the demands of taxing labor, older workers are looking at options that will keep them employed, even if the pay is less. One option is mentoring the younger generation in apprenticeship programs. Others enter retraining and education programs offered by the federal government targeting displaced workers, especially those without college degrees. Still others begin self-employment in order to gain flexibility while working on projects that provide personal satisfaction.