Promoting Better Career Mobility for Longer Working Lives in Austria

Career trajectories are becoming increasingly diverse due to structural labour market transformations such as the green transition, digitalisation and demographic change. Voluntary job mobility can allow workers to reap the benefits of increased longevity by enabling longer labour market participation in better jobs. However, mobility tends to decline with age and older workers are less likely to make voluntary, upward transitions. This report develops policy recommendations for enhancing career progression opportunities at older ages in Austria. It discusses the importance of workplace practices for enabling mid-career transitions and developing working conditions that suit workers at all ages. Health at work is highlighted as a key area for age management in the workplace. The report also looks at skills development as a key means to enhancing labour market mobility, with a focus on improving access to training for mid-career and older workers. Finally, the report examines transitions into and out of part-time work. It outlines the opportunities and barriers part-time work presents for different labour market groups, including women, workers at the end of their career and workers with chronic illnesses.