Older Workers Take Stock of Skills

The Federal Government has launched a new pilot program to help mature workers plan the next stage of their careers.

The Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Luke Hartsuyker, said the Skills Checkpoint Pilot would help mature workers aged 45 to 54 take stock of their current skills and identify opportunities to gain new skills or employment.

“Often as people enter middle age they are thinking about changing jobs or industries but may not be sure about what they have to offer a new employer or what it will take to win a job,” Hartsuyker said.

“This is especially the case where people may have worked in the one job for a long time or where an industry is undergoing significant change.

“The Skills Checkpoint will provide mature workers with advice on how they can use their existing skills to gain new jobs or help them understand what skills and training may be required if they wish to change careers.”

The Skills Checkpoint Pilot was also welcomed by Age Discrimination Commissioner, Susan Ryan AO.

“I have long advocated for the need for older workers to receive skills analysis and advice about growth sectors and what skills are required to secure jobs in their local area,” Ryan said.

“If we are to have a strong and productive economy we need to be harnessing the skills and capabilities of people of all ages.

“Getting the right advice at the right time is critical to helping mature age workers plan for and achieve their work and career goals in later life.”

The Skills Checkpoint pilot will use selected Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) providers to deliver services to benefit around 2,000 employed people.

The selected AASN providers are MRAEL Limited, Apprenticeship Support Australia and BUSY At Work.

The three AASN providers will deliver the pilot in metropolitan, regional, and remote areas in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and Western Australia.