By organising this workshop, Cedefop aims to highlight research on:

• The relationship between work performance and age
• Insights from adult learning theories on ageing and work
• Individual and environmental factors enabling longer working lives

The event's goal is the development of policy recommendations.

Cedefop's fourth research report on vocational training research in Europe includes a chapter on "The learning society as a greying society". In addition, Cedefop will be publishing a report on "Innovative learning measures for older workers", based on the belief that Europe's economy needs to keep its citizens in the workforce for as long as possible.

No longer do companies and countries favour "early exit" for their workers: the younger age groups in Europe are not large enough to replace departing workers. The share of older people (50-64 years of age) in the working population will increase from 29% in 2010 to 34% in 2030. In contrast, the share of younger people (15-24) will decline from 18% in 2010 to 16.6% in 2030.

The employment of workers beyond the age of 65 is projected to increase from 2.8 million in 2010 to 4.9 million in 2030.