Supporting the Silver Workforce: How HR Can Support Seniors in the AI Transformation

rgsoma
Jul 30
2 min read

"I spent years to learn and master the skills—and now AI snatched all at once." This sentiment reflects a growing concern among senior professionals as Artificial Intelligence reshapes industries globally—including in Singapore. For HR leaders, this isn’t just a workforce planning challenge—it’s a moral and strategic responsibility.

The Singapore Context

According to data from @DollarsAndSense.sg, workers aged 55 and above made up 37.3% of Singapore’s workforce in 2024, compared to just 29.2% a decade ago.

Meanwhile, @Straits Times reports:

Employment rate for 55–64 years hit 70.6% in 2022
For 65–69, it was 47.5%, showing rising participation among older employees

And thanks to initiatives like SkillsFuture Mid-Career Top-up, adults aged 40 and above get S$4,000 in credits to upskill—making learning more accessible than ever.

Why HR Must Take Action

Seniors bring:

Emotional intelligence and problem-solving maturity
Institutional memory and mentorship potential
Resilience through change and crisis

Yet many are held back by:

Tech anxiety
Fear of redundancy
Low confidence in learning new systems

As shared by @Workforce Singapore (WSG), retention and reskilling of mature employees is critical to closing workforce gaps in sectors like Medtech, logistics, and finance.

How HR Can Act: A Framework for Inclusion

1️⃣ Audit Skills, Mindsets & Learning Preferences

Before rolling out training, understand what skills are lacking and where confidence is low. Combine surveys, stay interviews, and psychometric profiling.

2️⃣ Create Gentle, Hands-On Upskilling Tracks

Partner with @SkillsFutureSG to offer:

Non-jargon, beginner-level workshops
Peer mentoring via “Tech Buddies”
Real-life AI examples like using ChatGPT for reports or Canva for presentation design

3️⃣ Redesign Roles for Human-AI Collaboration

Involve older workers in:

Mentorship programmes
Advisory boards or internal training
Fractional or consulting positions that draw on their experience

For inspiration, follow @Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices - TAFEP and their progressive employment guidelines.

4️⃣ Use Government Schemes Effectively

Tap on:

Senior Employment Credit (SEC): Wage offsets for hiring Singaporeans 60+
Part-Time Re-employment Grant: Up to S$125,000 for offering flexible options

Refer to @Ministry of Manpower - MOM’s resources for eligibility and support tools.

5️⃣ Promote Mental Wellness and Career Coaching

Partner with @SilverCareers and @HealthHub SG to offer:

Career reinvention programmes
Counselling for anxiety and fear of redundancy
Peer-sharing circles for motivation

6️⃣ Celebrate and Normalize Lifelong Learning

Use townhalls, intranet shout-outs, or short-form videos to showcase:

Senior employees learning AI tools
Stories of career pivots after 55
Multi-generational collaboration wins

“Don’t just future-proof your business. Future-proof your people.”

As AI reshapes the what and how of work, the “who” must remain inclusive. HR leaders, this is your opportunity to shape a workplace where age is not a barrier—but a benefit.

Let’s build a future where humans lead and AI supports, not replaces.