Older Workers’ Website – Jobs And Career Change

Mature-age workers looking to revive their careers could be interested in www.olderworkers.com.au writes Meera Vijayan. There is growing private sector interest in this jobs site but it finds

“The government is one of the hardest of organisations for mature workers to get into..
Even thought they say they encourage employers to take older workers, they are very reluctant to do so themselves.”

However, it does seems that some organisations are discovering the hidden potential in mature workers.

Woolies And Olderworkers

Apparently Woolies works closely with OlderWorkers and is now more actively tracking its employment numbers and staff turnover trends, particularly those over 55. Luke Schepen from Woolies says:

“The mature workforce is not only a very reliable workforce but there are plenty of opportunities available for them.”

6.2% of Woolies’ workforce is over 55 and staff turnover among mature workers is the lowest of any age group. Although there are more younger employees, with 45% under 25, it is recognised that the input from older workers is significant and

“They also provide a valuable mentoring and development role for our younger employees..
It has certainly struck the right balance for us in our stores and across our divisions”.

The Olderworkers Website

This website is somewhere mature, dependable jobseekers can go without fearing age is a disadvantage. It is somewhere employers can lodge vacant positions to specifically attract workers over 45.

The site is simple, jobseekers apply for positions at no cost to them and they can apply for as many positions as they like.

Olderworkers is well acquainted with the difficulties facing older workers and they know there are thousands of mature age jobseekers and Grey Nomads across Australia keen to match up with ‘mature age friendly employers’.

Changing Career Paths

Jenni Proctor of Career Clarity and Redesign Retirement is also a consultant at Olderworkers. She says mature workers can change career paths, harness their skills and experience, and start a small business,

She also says many over 50s are attracted to the freedom of retirement but don’t really want to stop work completely, they would just like to do things differently. She says becoming an entrepreneur can be fulfilling and profitable if several guidelines are followed.

Some Guidelines For Career Change

• Learn and research how online and contemporary business work – understanding how to market a business online
• Take the time to do the research to make an educated decision about what type of business
• List all their transferable skills plus the things that make you happy, as it will make you more resilient about getting your business happening
• Identify early the gaps in knowledge and how to fill them
• Face the hesitancy and fear factor in changing career – are you afraid of losing money or really succeeding?

A General Financial Yardstick

If the fears are financial, the general yardstick is whether you would survive if you did not make money in the first two years of starting business.

Jenni says a career change may end up a risk well worth taking, particularly for older workers not wanting traditional retirement.