WE HAVE been complaining about brain drain and human resource shortage since kingdom come. It is high time we understand that sometimes, it is not about having a lot, but about making the most of what we have got.  

There are 1.3 million government workers and thousands of them retire each year. These retirees should be given more attention, as they could still play an important role in national development. 

Most civil servant retirees and military veterans face uncertainties in different aspects of their lives when they retire. The first is a financial one. They receive only half of their last basic pay as pension.  

With rising costs of living and children to support through college and university, this is unlikely to be sufficient. Their gratuities and other funds usually run out within a few years due to inflation and poor financial planning.  

Many of them end up having to rely on their children to survive. Some work part-time such as tutors, security guards or taxi drivers. Others give up and start to mentally and physically rot. 

Work culture in the public sector is generally perceived as laid back and uncompetitive, contrary to that of the corporate sector. As a result, it is a challenge for retired civil servants to find employment.  

This is despite the fact that a survey among some key private companies had shown that employers generally view older workers as more trustworthy, better problem solvers and more skilled.  

Those who face the greatest challenges, I would say, are military veterans since they are not seen to have skills or knowledge relevant to most industries.  

They also have to contend with the challenge of assimilating back into society, as military experiences can leave lasting and traumatic impressions on a person. 

Some veterans are so used to a regimented lifestyle and when they leave military service, there is a huge gap in this area of their lives. Those who do not know how to cope may fall into depression.  

Perhaps there should be a more comprehensive orientation programme to initiate veterans back into society as well as help them explore the career options available to them upon retirement.  

Currently, the Department of Military Veteran Affairs has programmes and schemes to help veterans economically, including business training courses and financial aid such as the MAF (Malaysian Armed Forces) Veterans’ Welfare Scheme. However, not many veterans are financially strong or far-sighted enough to start or sustain a business.  

Some security firms are now hiring military veterans as guards, but veterans can offer more than that. Due to their training, they have skills such as time management, resilience, discipline and team spirit.  

Other areas in which they can be of service would be in outward bound schools, tourism, sports and adventure industries, National Service training and any other field that can utilise their outdoor skills.  

Schools, the private sector and government should look again at the virtues of retired civil servants and military veterans. Conversely, the latter should widen their horizon and realise that it is not the end of the road when they retire.  

There are many lifelong learning courses they can enrol in to expand their knowledge and skills set so as to be more versatile and employable. 

And in view of a growing ageing population and shrinking human resource pool, we should start looking at this group as a productive and valuable asset to the country. 

Datuk Clement Hii is executive deputy chairman of LLL Lifelong Learning Network Sdn Bhd which promotes and coordinates lifelong learning among Malaysians.