Workforce Wake-Up Call: Age Diversity Is the Future

There’s a quiet shift happening in our workforce – although one that’s not so quiet if you’re living through it. Redundancies are rising, job ads are shrinking and if you're over 45, you’re starting to feel a bit invisible.

As a recruiter (and a 45+ professional myself), I’ve been watching and hearing this play out with increasing regularity and here’s the thing: this age cohort is not only capable, but we’re also critical to the success of our modern workplaces. Our experience, knowledge and wisdom are something younger generations are still years away from.

We’re fitter, healthier, and living longer. We’ve had our families; we’ve done our OE’s and most of us either want to work or need to work. Retirement at 65 is no longer a reality for most.

Gen X - the often-overlooked middle child of the generations - is now in its prime. We’re in our late 40s and on, bringing decades of experience, adaptability, and an epic work ethic. And yes, many Baby Boomers are still in the game too, contributing valuable insight and leadership. Yet the job market isn’t keeping pace with the modern realities of life, health, or longevity.

So, let’s talk about it.

We’re Not "Past It" - We’re the Backbone

There’s a persistent misconception that people over 45 are somehow less adaptable, less productive, and less digitally savvy. But let’s look at the facts.

We were the first adopters of modern technology and indeed the bridge between the analogue and digital world. The internet hit homes in the 80s and 90s - we were the ones setting up the dial-up modems and teaching ourselves email. We’ve also raised the first generation of kids on iPads, gaming consoles, and social media. Many of us manage social accounts, online businesses, and are more than capable with digital tools. Tech literacy isn’t about age - it’s about access, attitude, and experience.

And experience? We have it in spades.

We’ve worked through recessions, rapid technological change, and redundancies. We’ve led teams, solved problems, adapted to new systems, and stayed relevant in industries that are constantly evolving. We’re life-long-learners; reskilling and adapting and this very resilience is critical in times of change and economic uncertainty.

A Global Issue, Felt Deeply Here in NZ

Globally, older job seekers are feeling invisible and here in Aotearoa, ageism is still flying under the radar. Organisations here pride themselves on diversity, equality and inclusion, yet ageism is still very much an active conscious bias. Many hiring managers won’t admit it out loud, but it’s there in the silence, in the “you’re overqualified” responses, or the feedback we’d be “too expensive” or we “would get bored”, let alone, in the applications that never get a call back.

This matters not just for individuals, but for the strength of our economy. We need problem-solvers, mentors, steady hands; and we have them right here in this talented, motivated, overlooked demographic of experienced professionals. Did I mention our unsurpassed work ethic?

A Personal Note

I know what it feels like to be made redundant after years of loyalty and results. That loss of identity, the self-doubt, the fear for the future - it’s real. It happened to me, and it’s happening to friends, family, candidates I speak to, and comparable stories are all over my LinkedIn feed.

So, to employers reading this: I urge you to take a closer look. Talented and capable people aren’t even making it past the first screening. Their CVs are overlooked, not because of what’s in them, but because of assumptions about what their age might mean. Don’t filter out experience. Look beyond the years of experience and see the skills, energy, loyalty, and wisdom that could be a game-changer for your team.

And to those over 45 navigating a career change, facing rejection or feeling invisible: I see you. You have every right to be in this market. Don’t shrink yourself. Keep showing up. Your value hasn’t gone anywhere.

Let’s Change the Story

Age diversity matters just as much as any other kind. It's time we recognised that a truly strong, future-fit workforce isn’t just made up of fresh graduates and digital natives - it’s intergenerational, inclusive, and grounded in respect for what every age brings to the table.

Age is a privilege. Let’s start seeing 45+ for what it really is: life plus work experience - and that combination is absolutely essential in todays ever evolving landscape of work.