The buzz in the media is about higher unemployment this summer.  But the forecast is for a worker shortage.  Baby boomers begin their retirements this year and employers are in the fight of their lives for skilled talent.  A 60 year old sheet metal worker brings 42 years of experience to his job.  His employer says “he’s invaluable, he is priceless”.  Employers are making the workplace more friendly to older employees to retain them.  Studies show the most acute shortages will be in manufacturing, healthcare and government.  Companies are showing a willingness to make work schedules more flexible.  At CVS pharmacies, they have a “snowbird” program which allows older workers to migrate between stores in different parts of the country as the seasons change.  Borders Books found that more than half of their customers are over 45, so they welcome individuals who are over 50 as employees.  However, a recent study did show that applicants under 50 years old are 42% more likely to get job interviews.  Also, some economists say that the worker shortage concern is overblown and that employers can restructure jobs, move jobs overseas and invest in labor saving technologies.  Most human resource professionals, however, are bracing for a massive exodus of boomer workers and critical worker shortages.   

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