Old But Gold:
Male Workers Thrive

In Singapore’s competitive business landscape, men aged 55 to 64 like Mr Hua Tai Kit are defying ageist stereotypes by leading diverse teams and mentoring younger employees. (27 words)

When Mr Hua joined China Galaxy Securities International (CGSI) at the age of 55 in 2024, he brought with him over 25 years of experience in human resources and was hired for his expertise in the field. Today, he leads the HR and Administration departments, managing a team of 80 across multiple countries and divisions. “The company and I don’t look much into age,” he shares. “We believe that everyone has something valuable to bring to the table, no matter their age.”

Interactive chart: https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/23498596/

Data from Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower shows a consistent increase in the employment rate of male residents aged 55 to 64 since 1990. The number rose from 229,600 in 2020 to 235,000 in 2024, indicating a growing trend of older male workers remaining employed in Singapore.

In today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving business world, companies are seeking workers with both experience and knowledge. Despite common ageist beliefs, this demographic consistently delivers strong leadership that helps shape high-performing teams. 

Research published in 2024 by the British Psychological Society’s Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology suggests that older leaders have better emotional regulation skills which helps them navigate crises effectively. Mr Hua echoes this, saying, “Specifically for older male employees, they can be seen in more leadership and manager roles. This is because they have crisis management skills and a higher maturity level to manage people.” This is evident in Mr Hua himself, who, at age 55, manages a large team of 80 across the Asia-Pacific region.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023, skills such as creative thinking, resilience, agility, empathy and social influence are among the top 10 most important skills in the workforce today. These soft skills help people to work better in teams, and come up with new ideas to solve problems.

“These skill sets are transferable wherever you go. In areas like how you are able to understand the crux of an issue, how you can mobilise people in different teams within the company to try and find solutions to bring the project forward,” says Mr Chee Peng Kwan, 61, a career relations specialist at Symbio Global, highlighting the importance of soft skills gained over the years.

Mr Hua offers a unique perspective on intergenerational teams, where mature male workers are often the steady hands guiding their teams through uncertainty. He compares their role to that of experienced footballers: “You need a balanced lineup, the steady defenders and midfielders who keep the game going and support the younger forwards going for goals.”

Older employees are encouraged to embrace lifelong learning and upskilling through MySkillsFuture and workplace training programs to stay relevant. As Mr Hua puts it, “we just kind of have to learn and pick up skills on the way as we experience challenges and newer projects. There are many ways to upskill so saying that older men are out of the loop is not true.” A willingness to learn and adapt is essential for mature male employees to remain valuable.

(500 words)