Key Takeaways
- Thailand’s “Silver Age” workforce (55+) makes up about 20% of the labor market, a number set to grow as the country becomes a “super-aged society” by 2030.
- AI skills are becoming crucial across many jobs, and more than half of employers hesitate to hire candidates without AI knowledge.
- An initiative by Jobsdb by SEEK aims to help older workers find suitable jobs and adapt to AI-driven tools.
- Combining work experience with AI skills can help older workers re-enter the job market confidently.
- Jobsdb suggests several career paths like tutoring, customer service, and consulting that suit older workers’ skills, enhanced by technology.
- Age bias remains a hiring obstacle, highlighting the need for fair hiring practices.
- Jobsdb advocates for fair hiring, using AI to match candidates based on skills, not demographics.
Thailand’s workforce includes a significant number of people aged 55 and over, often called the Silver Age group. They represent roughly 13 million workers, or about one-fifth of the total labor force.
This demographic is growing. Projections indicate that by 2030, Thailand will be a “super-aged society,” meaning those aged 65 and older will constitute over a quarter of the population.
Recognizing this shift, the online job platform Jobsdb by SEEK has launched efforts to connect these experienced workers with relevant opportunities. A key part of this is preparing them for a future increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
AI tools are boosting productivity everywhere and influencing hiring globally. A World Economic Forum report highlighted a 177% increase in workers learning AI skills since 2018, according to the Bangkok Post.
Skills in AI are valuable even outside tech fields, popping up in marketing, sales, and healthcare. Over half of employers now say they’d pass on candidates lacking AI know-how, making familiarity with tools like ChatGPT or prompt engineering vital.
For older workers, blending their rich experience with AI technology competence can be a powerful combination, making them attractive hires in today’s tech-focused world and boosting their confidence when re-entering the job market.
To assist this transition, Jobsdb suggests several career paths well-suited for the Silver Age workforce. These roles, such as private tutoring, customer service, translation, basic accounting, administrative support, online sales, and freelance consulting, allow individuals to leverage existing expertise while adopting new digital tools.
These career options can be further supported by readily available digital tools and basic AI applications, like online courses or translation software, which help enhance efficiency and adaptability.
However, as Thailand ages, hiring practices come under scrutiny. A Jobsdb survey revealed that over 30% of Thai workers view bias and discrimination as significant hurdles in finding work, a concern particularly relevant for older job seekers.
This underscores the need for more inclusive hiring, a principle Jobsdb strongly promotes. The aim is fair hiring, ensuring job opportunities are based on skills and merit, not limited by age, gender, race, or status.
“Promoting fair hiring has long been a key mission of Jobsdb by SEEK,” stated managing director Duangporn Promon. “We are committed to supporting a more inclusive labour market in Thailand… through the use of our world-class AI technology, which ensures fair and accurate job matching.”
Fair hiring practices help companies find the best talent by focusing on relevant skills and experience. By encouraging employers to remove restrictions based on demographics, Jobsdb aims to connect businesses with the most suitable candidates, fostering sustainable growth in the Thai labor market.
