Final answer:
Colin's job change is an example of B)bridge employment, which signifies a transition to a different job or career path, often seen as a step towards retirement.
Step-by-step explanation:
Colin's departure from his longstanding job to work for a competitor represents bridge employment. This term refers to the transition when an individual leaves their current job, often a permanent or long-term position, and takes on different employment. It can be seen as a step towards retirement or as a way to adjust to changing life circumstances or work preferences.
For instance, in the given example, the change reflects the movement of individuals in the workforce, where some people might be near retirement and opt for part-time jobs or others seek employment that provides a different set of opportunities and challenges.
Bridge employment can offer the flexibility and varying income necessary for those transitioning careers or easing into retirement, as opposed to immediate and infeasible job replacement or phased retirement where one reduces work hours or responsibilities gradually.