"Smart Growth employment projections indicate that total employment is expected to grow in Tauranga up to 46 per cent, and in the Western Bay District by 33 per cent by 2050.
"That is a lot of jobs that will need to be filled and there are not enough young people coming through due to the baby boomers' hump," she said.
One local business already realising the value of a more mature workforce was Bay Venues.
Human resources manager Robyn Mills said mature workers were sought after as they brought many strengths such as reliability, commitment, a wealth of skills and experience, flexibility, and an interest in mentoring younger people.
"There is also a community aspect to a lot of the work we do, and giving back to the community is a feature that often appeals to more mature people. We have a variety of roles ranging from full-time to part-time and can cater for those mature workers who may only be looking for 10 or 15 hours of work a week to stay active and involved," she said.
Bay Venues Papamoa Community Centre venue supervisor Sylvia Wilmshurst, 65, was happy to still be working full-time, and an example of someone who did not see age as a barrier to workplace learning.
Aged 50, she pursued a Business Studies Diploma in Sport Management. She enjoyed it so much she then did a Human Resource Management paper.
Promotion at Bay Venues came quickly, thanks to her displayed willingness to upskill and to "commitment, hard work and reliability," she said.
"Bay Venues does have a variety of jobs for older workers, and I have been given the opportunity to extend my skills.
"I think it is important, as we age, to keep fit and have a healthy lifestyle that enables us to continue working and be reliable, with plenty of energy to make a difference.
"Healthier lifestyles - and a broader range of career opportunities - means the 60 of yesterday is the 50 of today," she said.