The stakeholders of the future-oriented labour market

With the rise in life expectancy and a comparatively low birth rate since the 1970s, we now face a situation where there is a growing population of people of retirement age and a shrinking number of people of working age. This is jeopardising the financing of our social-welfare systems – in particular the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) –, which is linked to employment. Against this backdrop, it is essential to obtain more precise knowledge about the motivation, behaviour and experience of people aged 45 and above in the work process in order to develop feasible working models that meet the requirements of the personal, business and societal circumstances of the future.

By testing such models in practice, the Bern University of Applied Sciences (BFH) and the University of Bern are collaborating to develop a viable knowledge base that can be used to design work structures and working conditions adapted to older employees. This knowledge base will be available to all involved parties as well as to the general public. Research into this complex question will shed light on the relevant issues from the point of view of employees aged 45 and above, from the point of view of employers, and from a societal point of view.

An Expert Committee comprising representatives from the fields of business, administration and science will provide guidance and support for the project, and determine its thematic focus. The Expert Committee also ensures the transfer of knowledge into the relevant fields of practice and makes recommendations to political decision-makers and social partners.

Other areas in which the cluster is involved include a doctoral research group at the University of Bern and the incorporation of the knowledge generated into various educational programmes.