IBM, ASTD Study Reveals Critical Gaps in Meeting the Challenge of Changing Workforce Demographics as Baby Boomers Retire

IBM, ASTD Study Reveals Critical Gaps in Meeting the Challenge of Changing Workforce Demographics as Baby Boomers Retire

A study unveiled today by IBM (NYSE: IBM) and the American Society for Training & Development (ASTD) reveals that while global organizations recognize the looming workforce demographic shift, far too few have taken action to meet the challenges, either by addressing the retirement of baby boomers, or streamlining the learning curve for new employees. Learning leaders and their teams are uniquely positioned to lead the way in bridging the gap between awareness and action, yet only 16 percent of organizations have made changing workforce demographic considerations a priority in their learning strategies.

The study surveyed more than 240 global learning executives on issues including the impact of changing workforce demographics on their organizations, approaches to knowledge transfer, perceptions of learning preferences among workers of different generations, and barriers to learning. The study builds upon IBM’s leadership in insights and solutions to help organizations navigate the challenges and opportunities of the multi-generational workforce, and IBM and ASTD’s joint research into the role of learning in organizational success.

Public, private and not-for-profit (including government) organizations across eight industry sectors in North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, and EMEA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) responded to the study, which was carried out online in June-July, 2006. Over 70 percent of respondents were learning executives or professionals, with the balance including HR executives, and senior management outside of the learning function.

“IBM has taken the lead in bringing the issue of the multi-generational workforce to the forefront,” noted Eric Lesser, Associate Partner, IBM Institute for Business Value. “Our research has clearly demonstrated that C-level and human capital executives recognize the impact that changing workforce demographics will have on their organizations. This new study delves into the learning function to determine its current and potential role in managing the workforce shifts that organizations around the world will experience in the forthcoming months and years. What we’ve found are significant gaps between learning executives’ recognition of the challenge, and their belief that they and their organizations are addressing it effectively.”

Read the complete Press Release