Generations at Work: Turning Demographic Change into Employment Opportunities
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Online
Generations at Work: Turning Demographic Change into Employment Opportunities
Turning the challenge of ageing into societal opportunities
23 Novembre–11 Dicembre 2026
Il corso è disponibile in English
Key features
INTEGRATED POLICY PERSPECTIVE
Learn how to connect demographic trends – from ageing societies to growing youth populations – with employment policy, inclusive workplaces, lifelong learning and social protection.
GLOBAL EVIDENCE AND PRACTICE
Work with ILO research, international experience and practical examples on age barriers, skills development and age-responsive labour market policies.
PEER EXCHANGE AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING
Exchange perspectives with peers and experts through live webinars, and bring country experience to the discussion.
Presentazione del corso
Demographic change is reshaping societies and labour markets in every region. While many advanced economies face population ageing and shrinking workforces, several emerging and developing countries are seeing rapid growth in their youth populations. These contrasting trends have important implications for job creation, labour market participation, productivity, skills development and social protection systems. Despite their different circumstances, younger and older workers often face common barriers to decent work: age-related stereotypes, discrimination, skills mismatches and limited employment opportunities. Building labour markets that work for all ages requires a coordinated policy response, from employment-friendly macroeconomic and sectoral policies and active labour market policies to accessible employment services, lifelong learning and adequate social protection. Generations at Work is organised by the ITCILO Employment Policy and Analysis Programme in collaboration with the ILO Employment, Skills and Sustainable Enterprises Department. Drawing on ILO research, international experiences and practical examples, the course explores how demographic transformations affect labour markets in different regional and development contexts. Participants build the knowledge and tools to design more inclusive, age-responsive employment and labour market policies, while promoting intergenerational solidarity, combating ageism and sharing experience with peers.
Chi si iscrive a questo corso?
The course is designed for professionals working on employment and labour market policies, workforce inclusion and demographic change: - Government officials and technical specialists responsible for employment and labour market policies, including those assessing the implications of demographic change for national and sectoral labour markets. - Representatives of workers' and employers' organisations; staff of international organisations and development agencies; and private sector entities working on workforce policy, age inclusion or employment practices. - Researchers and higher education professionals, civil society organisations, individual practitioners and consultants working on demographic change, employment policy or labour markets.
Learning objectives
After this course, participants will be able to:
- Analyse demographic trends and their labour market implications, using relevant indicators to assess the challenges and opportunities of ageing and youthful populations in different economic and development contexts.
- Identify and address age-related stereotypes and discrimination, recognising the impact of ageism on equal opportunities, labour market participation and inclusion for younger and older workers.
- Explore age-responsive employment and labour market policies, including macroeconomic and sectoral strategies, active labour market policies and employment services.
- Examine the role of skills development, lifelong learning and social protection in facilitating school-to-work transitions, supporting longer and productive working lives and helping workers adapt to changing labour market demands.
- Promote intergenerational solidarity and inclusive labour markets by identifying policy approaches and good practices that foster cooperation, equal opportunities and decent work for all age groups.
Course content
Module 1: Old, young, or both? Understanding the impact of demographic change on labour markets
Identify demographic trends in societies and analyse their different impacts on labour markets in advanced, emerging and developing countries. Participants review the most recent trends and the key indicators used to analyse demographic change and its labour market impact, and why it is important to measure them.
Module 2: Too old or too young? How to break age barriers
Perceptions of younger and older workers are among the main obstacles to their integration into the workforce, and overcoming them is a precondition for inclusion. The module explores what ageism is, why it hinders integration and equality, the forms it takes in the workplace, and the responsibilities of societies, governments, workers and employers in overcoming it.
Module 3: Jobs for every generation: designing employment policies that work
Examine the role of policies in responding to and supporting a changing workforce. Participants explore how macroeconomic policies can ensure age-sensitive job creation, how sectoral policies can respond to the needs of ageing or youthful workforces, and how active labour market policies and employment services can support the activation and integration of young and older workers.
Module 4: Skills and protection for a lifetime: rethinking learning, careers and social protection
As populations age, continuous upskilling and reskilling become crucial for workers of all ages to adapt to changing labour market demands, and mismatches between people's capacities and labour market requirements need equal attention. The module explores how skills and social protection policies and systems can support longer working lives, improve school-to-work, work-to-work and work-to-retirement transitions, foster intergenerational solidarity and facilitate career development across the life cycle, drawing on relevant policies and good practices.
Methodology
The course takes place fully online on the ITCILO eCampus from 23 November to 11 December 2026, over three weeks. Delivered by ILO experts and other international specialists and practitioners, it combines online learning materials, live webinars with experts, interactive activities and peer-to-peer exchanges. The four modules are delivered progressively, allowing participants to explore the different dimensions of demographic change and their implications for inclusive labour markets.
The course follows a learner-centred approach that combines theoretical insights, practical examples and opportunities for knowledge sharing. Participants are encouraged to engage actively in discussions, share country experiences and reflect on policy approaches relevant to their national contexts. Four live webinars, each two hours long, accompany the modules.
Why choose this course
- It brings the full policy picture together. The course connects demographic trends with ageism, employment policies, skills, lifelong learning and social protection rather than treating each issue in isolation.
- It looks at young and old together. Participants examine ageing and youthful populations side by side, and the common barriers that younger and older workers face in accessing decent work.
- It combines expert insight with peer exchange. ILO research, international experience and practical examples are complemented by live webinars and country experience shared among participants.
Certification
Participants who meet the required attendance and activity-completion criteria will receive an ITCILO Certificate of Participation. The certificate is issued by ITCILO and confirms that the participant has met the course requirements.
Common questions
Do I need prior experience to participate?
The course is designed for professionals already working on employment, labour market policy, workforce inclusion or demographic change. No specific technical prerequisites are required.
How much time should I dedicate to the course?
The course requires a total learning commitment of 12 hours over 3 weeks. The four modules are delivered progressively, combining online materials, interactive activities and live webinars with experts. Webinars last two hours and start at 2 PM Turin time; the calendar is provided in the infonote.
What technical requirements do I need?
To participate in this online course, you will need a computer or mobile device and a stable internet connection to access the ITCILO eCampus platform and join the live sessions.
What happens if I cannot attend a live session?
Recordings and learning materials for each module's live session are made available through the ITCILO eCampus platform so participants can catch up at their own pace.
How do I access the learning platform?
Registered participants will receive access credentials and detailed instructions for the ITCILO eCampus platform before the start of the course.
Who delivers the course?
The course is organised by the ITCILO Employment Policy and Analysis Programme in collaboration with the ILO Employment, Skills and Sustainable Enterprises Department, and delivered by ILO experts and other international specialists and practitioners.
Will I receive a certificate?
Participants who successfully complete the course requirements will receive an ITCILO Certificate of Participation, confirming completion of 12 hours of online professional training.
Can I participate from any country?
Yes. ITCILO online courses are designed for international participants and can be accessed from anywhere.
Why choose an ITCILO online course?
ITCILO online courses combine professional training, international expertise, practical learning methodologies, and a global network of participants. Designed for professionals, they offer a flexible and engaging learning experience through a dedicated online learning platform.
What is the course fee and how can I pay?
The tuition fee for this course is EUR 1010. Detailed payment instructions will be provided during the registration process.
Can my employer or organization sponsor my participation?
Yes. Many participants are sponsored by their employer, institution, development partner, or donor organization. Supporting documentation needs to be provided during the application process.
Are scholarships available?
ITCILO has a limited number of fellowships available for developing countries that may cover part of the tuition fees. Eligible early applicants are given priority, so please apply as soon as possible. You can request a fellowship directly in the application form.
