With over one-third of the City of Calgary’s workforce eligible to retire in the next five years,  officials say they’ve been planning ahead.

The city has been conscious of the aging workforce and has been planning for a high volume of retirements for a number of years, says Mark Lavallee, manager of corporate talent acquisition.

There are programs in place to develop talent and promote from within, but Lavallee said there could be a noticeable impact with many senior staff leaving.

Hiring-solutions manager Chris Massie said the economic recession kept many people in the workforce longer but now many organizations are facing mass retirements.

“From the perspective of those seeking employment, it’s an exceptional time because there’s going to be a lot of opportunity created,” said Massie.

Ald. Gian-Carlo Carra said he, too, sees the retirements at the city as a chance to shift the thinking at city hall. “Turning over fully a third our staff gives us a huge opportunity to make significant changes.”