Introduction. According to the concept of lifelong learning, vocational education system should cover all age categories of working population, including people of the so-called “silver age” (people of the third age). However, in reality, the proportion of citizens over 45 years involved in continuing vocational training is very small, as the current system does not meet their specific needs. Meanwhile, for many representatives of this social community, the continuation of education, the renewal of knowledge, the acquisition of new qualifications or specialties are now becoming a chance to promote an individual’s employability over a lifetime in a rapidly changing labour market and an unstable “life market”. The aim of the article is to identify the opportunities and barriers to the inclusion of “silver age” people in the practice of vocational education, taking into account the positions of all key actors – the senior generation of Russians, the state, employers and educational organisations.Methodology and research methods. The work was based on the methodological framework of three theories: continuous education, third age, social community. The empirical material was collected through the following methods: the analysis of educational and demographic statistics (2015–2018); the analysis of the content of recruitment agencies’ websites and media publications devoted to the problems of the “silver” labour market; the secondary analysis of sociological data; the survey ofSverdlovsk region residents aged over 45 years old in February – March 2019.Results and scientific novelty. The structure and a number of qualitative characteristics of Russians of the elder generation are clarified. The authors give the definition of the concept of social community of “silver age” people (“third age” people), including the group of pre-pensioners. A new interpretation of this category of citizens allowed the authors to reevaluate the old options and to identify the new options for vocational training for “silver age” people. The problems and trends revealed in the course of the survey in this professional training niche of a particular Russian region were focused on the all-Russian situation. Critical differences between the requests for “silver” vocational education from older people, state, educational organisations and employers are identified. The contradictions and necessity of purposeful formation of educational needs and strategies of people of the “third age” are demonstrated. The state and prospects of development of various types and forms of “silver” professional education are described; the conditions of its transformation into a resource of active ageing are formulated.Practical significance. The urgency and relevance of adjusting the content and specific tasks of educational policy of the state aimed at the older generation of citizens have been scientifically proved. It is planned to create and improve training programmes for older people, implemented by various educational structures. Such programmes and research findings can serve as a basis for developing human resources strategies for older people both in government and commercial organisations.
