Initial outline of Pilot call SRA Priority “A new Labour Market” Wenke Apt Palermo 23 May 2014

Proposed Title of the Call “Individual, organizational and technological development: Integrated models for workforce improvement to foster competitiveness and innovativeness.”

Scope and Objective  Pilot call shall target the variety of coping strategies of companies and other institutions to prepare for an ageing and shrinking workforce.  Objective is to identify effective approaches and best practices for maintaining entrepreneurial competitiveness and innovativeness while promoting the wellbeing of employees.

Rationale  Across Europe, growing experience of age management strategies and practices, in workplace governance; and in access to lifelong learning and career guidance.  Yet little experience about demographic productivity dynamics o Even though a significant element of any broader understanding of how, in what ways, and with what significance older workers are integrated into the paid work force.

Research needs  Research is needed to: o identify determinants of individual, organizational and technological progress in an aging society and o explore effective ways of adapting the work environment to the new workforce demographics.  Combined perspective covering the effects of means for improving health and wealth of the workforce, qualification and training in the working life course, organizational models and the contribution of technological progress.

Workplaces as resource building arenas  Promotion of wellbeing, mental health, productive careers, skills and knowledge, as well as the engagement of a heterogonous workforce.  Requires an individually adapted working setting, which combines: o Constant demands in personal development like continued education and professional training on the individual level and o An enabling work environment including opportunities for lifelong learning, occupational health management, job flexibility or an “enabling automation” based on assistive technology.

Broader context of the call  Understand the complex interplay of employment patterns, institutions, regulatory systems, technological impact and welfare arrangements  Uncover different national or sectorial strategies and potentials  Continuous workforce development – by enhancing the training, skills, health and eventually the performance of employees – will be the main source of competitive advantage for companies.

Relation to existing JPI Activities  Direct link to fast-track activity on Work & Productivity, which maps research and indicators of work participation among older people.  The results of the fast-track activity are expected for the end of 2014