Capacity for Competence Development: Unlocking Potential for Lifelong Learning in Later Working Life

ABSTRACT

The retention of older workers has become a key policy issue in European welfare states. Consequently, there is an increased focus on how lifelong learning, or continued competence development, can extend working life. This article explores the dynamics of competence development among employees aged 55 years and older regarding their learning practices and attitudes toward competence development, based on qualitative fieldwork conducted in nine governmental workplaces across Denmark. To gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence willingness to participate in competence development, the article introduces the analytical framework “capacity for competence development” and highlights five factors that influence this capacity: time, economy, learning culture, energy, and purpose. The article argues that (non)participation in competence development is not static and is not solely the responsibility of employees or managers. Rather, it is co-produced by complex workplace dynamics, including policies, age stereotypes, as well as ways of organizing work and learning. In conclusion, the article emphasizes the potential for competence development and suggests that most employees aged 55 years and older want to participate but await the right circumstances. Their participation could be enhanced through an increased focus on the five identified factors in the capacity for competence development.

KEYWORDS:

• Ageism
• competence development
• later working life
• learning culture
• lifelong learning
• training and development

Acknowledgments

During the preparation of this work, the authors used ChatGPT and Grammarly to improve readability and language. Throughout the process of using these tools, the authors reviewed and edited the content as needed and take full responsibility for the content of the publication.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Institutional review board

The study has received ethical approval from the Faculty of Humanities’ ethics committee at the University of Copenhagen. Journal number: 514–0129/22–4000

Data availability statement

Informants have given informed consent, and signed consent forms. Data has been stored securely. Though data has been anonymized, personal narratives can be recognizable, making full anonymization practically impossible. Therefore, data cannot be shared publicly as we are unable to sufficiently anonymize it for public access.

Additional information

Funding

The project is funded by Kompetencesekretariatet, and the project arises from collective agreements. Throughout the research period, we shared our insights with the grantor, but they have had no influence on the project’s results.