Championing new techniques and talent whilst retaining the invaluable tacit knowledge of older employees is part of building future resilience in work holding and the larger engineering market.

Retirees: A Critical Resource in Closing the Engineering Knowledge Gap

It’s no secret that there is significant, ongoing growth in the number of people retiring in the UK*, but as they exit the workforce, the concern for businesses is the amount of invaluable tacit knowledge and expertise lost along with them.

On the other hand, rises in pension age, and financial pressure is forcing people to in their jobs for longer, work part time work or even retrain. This is an opportunity for businesses, in this instance in engineering to retain the valuable knowledge and real-world experience of retirees to pass on to the next generation of employees.

Retaining older employees can be a win-win situation

By simply offering flexible options for retirees to “opt in’ to either phased retirement or part time roles as mentors, companies can ensure that expertise is retained and passed on.

A case in point is Brown & Holmes (Tamworth) Ltd staff member, Terry Giblin who is staying on past retirement age to mentor our apprentices and pass on invaluable knowledge. Businesses offering flexible solutions for work to retirees makes good financial sense for both parties too.

Supporting the apprentice through mentoring build resilience

At the start of the career journey is the apprentice. At Brown & Holmes (Tamworth) Ltd, we’re extremely proud of the people emerging from our apprenticeship schemes and we know that they will be a real asset to our business. They bring fresh perspectives and way of doing things, but we also recognise that learning from our more experienced employees will get them to full efficiency even quicker.

A two-pronged approach to bridging the skills gap

There can be no replacement of older employees’ lifetime of problem-solving, nuanced understanding and instinct. They are the bridge in the knowledge gap. Younger talent will bring us latest ideas and techniques, and adopt new technologies, both are relevant parts of a two-way knowledge motorway that businesses need to engender. A culture of knowledge shared rather than hoarded encourages collective growth, increases productivity and prevents loss of knowledge.

Moving forward, those of us in engineering, as well as a wider range of sectors must support both groups if we are to retain institutional wisdom as well as innovation and growth.

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If it’s time to take your manufacturing efficiency to the next level, contact Mick Waller: +44 (1827) 63591 or email: mwaller@brownandholmes.co.uk