Retaining/Recruiting Mature Age Workers: Bass Coast Project

Bass Coast Shire Council – in Gippsland, Victoria – is encouraging mature-age workers to return to the workforce to meet current skills and labour shortages.

The Age Is No Barrier Project aims to:

• identify the benefits of employing mature-age workers
• help businesses develop age-friendly workplaces that promote employment and retention of older workers

The Council’s Economic Development Manager, Peter Francis, says the project also has the capacity to help mature-age workers access information and training.

How Does It Work?

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has funded the Council to employ Grove Consulting to undertake the project in partnership with Chisholm TAFE’s Bass Coast Campus and The Job Find Centre.

Peter Francis says:

“Forums that provide information and develop positive local solutions will be held at Chisholm TAFE throughout October and November…

I encourage businesses and people aged over 55 to come and contribute to the discussions and gain more information about the opportunities available to them…

More employers are recognising the benefits that older workers bring to their organisation…

Thirty per cent of our resident population is aged over 60…

Many of these people are in good health and have many skills and a desire to continue in the workforce and other community activities..

Some local businesses and organisations are finding it difficult to recruit for vacant positions…

This project aims to incorporate the wisdom and experience of our aged population into the workforce and provide opportunities for older people to continue in gainful employment.”

For more information contact Bass Coast’s Tourism and Economic Development Officer, Roslyn Jenzen, on 1300BCOAST (226 278) or Grove Consulting’s Principal Consultant, Carol Blair, on 5678 5808.

Upcoming Forum

There will be an Age Is No Barrier – Make Experience Work For You Forum this month where people will have the chance to share some refreshments; listen to an interesting speaker and share ideas about mature age workers and their ability to meet employer’s skill gaps.

Date: Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Time: 6:00pm to 8.00pm
Venue: Chisholm TAFE, Corner Bass Highway and South Dudley Road, Wonthaggi
Guest Speaker: Grace Johnston, CEO Busy Boomers and Manager Working Connections (the employment service for the over 50’s Association Ltd).

Registration: Please confirm your attendance by 27 October by:
Phone: Bass Coast Shire Council Customer Service on 1300 BCOAST (226 278)
Email: Carol Blair at carolblair@waterfront.net.au.