Dismantling Age Myths: Towards a Resilient Multigenerational Manufacturing Sector in Singapore

Abstract

This paper examines the strategic importance of fostering a multigenerational workforce to enhance the competitiveness of Singapore’s manufacturing industry in the face of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Addressing common myths about age and technological adoption, our mixed-methods study reveals that the integration of the diverse strengths of an age-diverse workforce is not only beneficial but also necessary for innovation and sustainable growth. With Singapore’s manufacturing workforce rapidly ageing and fresh talent dwindling, the industry faces challenges like knowledge transfer, automation, and the risk of skills dilution. We argue that a multigenerational approach that combines the expertise of older workers with the digital fluency of the younger generation can create a resilient talent pool essential for continuous expertise and complex problem-solving. The aim of this paper is thus to debunk several myths around an ageing workforce that currently stand in the way of fostering a multigenerational workforce in Singapore’s manufacturing industry. We end the paper by arguing that such a workforce will become increasingly important for other industries as well.

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