Job prospects for mature workers

Can the economy in the United States generate enough jobs for mature workers who want to work? This article explores the prospects for jobs first in the high-skill sector and second in the area of contingent work, temporary and part-time jobs as well as contracting. It concludes that the high-skill market as a whole will be a source of opportunity to those who are flexible, but within this market there will be flux in the markets for particular skills. At the other end, the restructuring of jobs in the American economy is likely to lead to continued growth in certain forms of contingent labor but the rate of growth will not be constant and may not always be adequate to employ all those who would like the employment. Finding and obtaining work will remain a challenge for many older workers. Those who are flexible and who are willing to acquire new skills will be the most likely to find opportunities.