Educational potential of Russian senior citizens

Introduction. Nowadays, in relation to the marked increase in the proportion of citizens of senior working age in the total Russian population, it is necessary to create the conditions for the development of human and educational potential in order to maintain social activity of senior people for as long as possible and successfully continue their professional activities.

The aims of the present research are the following: to understand and promote foreign and Russian practices of education of people of pre-retirement and retirement age; to study readiness of senior citizens for training and further employment.

Methodology and research methods. At the theoretical stage of the survey, an analytical review of scientific and regulatory sources was carried out. A questionnaire survey was organised in order to collect empirical data. 418 people (males and females) aged 50 to 72, who have different social statuses, education levels and incomes, took part in the survey.

Results and scientific novelty. Comparative theoretical analysis of Russian and foreign solutions to the problems under discussion has shown that in Russia there is a legislative framework for managing the development of educational potential of senior citizens. However, unlike most developed countries, Russia does not have practical experience in the implementation of training of senior citizens. The factors, which have a positive impact on the employment of older generations, are identified: in addition to material interest, they include a high level of qualification, rare skills, and a desire to maintain good health, independence and self-respect. The surveys have demonstrated that many senior people, especially university diploma holders, entrepreneurs and self-employed, quite highly appreciate their professional qualities, abilities, merits and reputation. Senior people would like their experience, wealth of knowledge and skills to be in demand; they believe that they could perform social roles and functions such as a mentor or consultant in the professional sphere, an adviser in the authorities, an independent expert, etc. However, negative stereotypes regarding senior workers in the society – as they tend to have poor health, they are passive, helpless, ineffective, conservative, poorly trained, etc. – become a source of discrimination in the labour market. The interviewees disagreed with the characteristics attributed to them. The greatest objections were judgments that senior people were the brake of innovation (71.6%) and incapable of learning (77.1%). The respondents approved the planned measures to provide them with opportunities for additional education and more than half of respondents demonstrated readiness to receive education in various forms: at universities for people of the third aged, in retraining institutions, in courses of advanced training, etc. At the same time, in Russia, adequate organisational, socio-psychological, pedagogical and other conditions for the education of citizens of this age category have not been created yet.

Practical significance. The research findings, the results of surveys and the conclusions drawn could contribute to the justification of new directions of state education policy in order to improve its effectiveness for people of senior generations.

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