In my particular field, companies may likely encourage us older engineers to stay on due to the lack of new engineers and technicians (instrumentation, controls, and process automation). When I do decide to retire, I may wind up teaching at one of the tech schools here in the Houston area. Not so much the money, it would be something to keep me busy. Add to that the canard that older engineers are not current on new technologies, which has been proven untrue.
“lack of new engineers and technicians (instrumentation, controls, and process automation).”
In the 1990’ SOME EPCs in Houston ran training courses. Now most are pushing work to Low Cost Centers like India, Philippines, Check Rep. etc.
And they all complain that they cannot find quality Designers, Engineers or Project Managers.