Employers should provide additional supports to workers in their 50s to ensure their continued participation in the workplace in future years, according to a new report.
SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority, said those in the 50-59 age bracket are most at risk of leaving the workforce early.
It says the onus lies on employers to maintain employment longevity by offering upskilling opportunities and more flexible rosters.
SOLAS also warned that technological changes will be a challenge for this category of workers.
In 2018, over 420,000 people in this age group were still in employment, with the majority of those in the health, retail and education sectors.
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Joan McNaboe, the Manager of the Skills & Labour Market research unit at SOLAS, said we should be doing as much as possible to encourage those in their 50s to remain in employment.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, she said older employees have 30 years of experience and may have worked in a number of sectors.
"They're bringing a wealth of skills and knowledge, they can mentor younger staff. There are numerous opportunities, and we really should be doing as much as we can to encourage these people to stay."
Ms McNaboe said many people in their 50s work in areas that are susceptible to technology changes, and that employees may feel intimidated about upskilling.
She said this leads to some workers feeling that they are better off leaving the workforce because they cannot keep up.
She added that there are also a number of people in higher-skilled jobs who are seeking to take a step back in order to regain a work-life balance and that if there is not a flexible working arrangement within the organisation that they are in, they may more inclined to leave.
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