This marks the second region and the second national conference within our program! “Career 50 Plus” has successfully arrived in Silesia. On October 8th, we met in Katowice to discuss the authentic challenges faced by mature employees and the construction of an inclusive labor market for the 45/50+ generation.
The Katowice edition was unique – we focused less on theoretical trends and more on courage, honesty, and concrete solutions for professional daily life. Silesia, while aging the fastest in the country, simultaneously records some of the lowest unemployment rates, making this labor market a field of fascinating paradox and a great opportunity for change.
Age is Not a Cost, It’s an Added Value
During the panel discussions at Novotel Katowice Centrum, we collaborated with HR leaders, employers, and public institutions to define key turning points for modern business:
Three Perspectives: Business, Employee, and Institution
The event program was divided into three substantive panels, allowing us to examine the labor market from various angles:
We focused on the loyalty and potential of mature staff. Moderator Paweł Bojarski led a discussion on how to turn the pre-retirement protection period into a competitive advantage.
Mikołaj Jaśkiewicz moderated a conversation about debunking myths and the difficult art of negotiation from both sides’ perspectives.
With Mikołaj Jaśkiewicz, we analyzed the role of AI, the necessity of reskilling, and the challenges facing Labor Offices in the digital age.
Knowledge in Practice – Workshops
The afternoon session belonged to the practitioners. Participants took part in specialized sessions led by experts:
Path for EMPLOYERS:
Path for EMPLOYEES:
Pre-retirement protection: The trap blocking 50+ employment. Business Insider and Agnieszka Operhalska on the need for labor law reform.
Experience that business needs: check out our report from Job Experience Day—the innovative 45+ job fair at Pasaż Grunwaldzki in Wrocław.
Age is value, experience is capital. Check out the report from “Career 50 Plus” in Katowice: how age unites generations and builds an inclusive labor market
Business Insider on Job Experience Day: How we created a new 45+ support model with labor offices, moving beyond traditional job fairs.
Business Insider features our mission! Are internships the answer for the 50+? Agnieszka Operhalska discusses recruitment barriers and our “Career 50Plus” program.
Companies want to hire 50+, but the system is broken. Business Insider and Agnieszka Operhalska on recruitment traps and the role of NGOs.
