Calling champions of mature workers

Published Wednesday, 19 September, 2018 at 12:16 PM

Minister for Employment and Small Business and Minister for Training and Skills Development
The Honourable Shannon Fentiman

Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman is calling on businesses with mature aged employees to share their story and nominate for the Mature Workers Mean Business Awards.

“These awards will highlight and celebrate the incredible contribution mature aged employees contribute to Queensland businesses

“The experience and knowledge that a mature-aged staff member can bring to a business is invaluable.

“Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that as with age increase, Queenslanders face longer periods of unemployment.

“The Palaszczuk Government has been working hard to shift this trend through a number of programs that support mature age workers into employment.

“Our successful Skilling Queenslanders for Work program has assisted 4,744 mature age people with job ready training they need to get into work.

“The latest destination survey results show that 67 per cent of the mature aged Skilling Queenslanders for Work participants now have a job or went onto further training.

“We have also seen great results from our Back to Work program which has supported 1,755 Queenslanders over 55, into work without investment of $16.7 million.”

Bernadette McKinlay, 55 was employed by 4MBS through our Back to Work program and now has her ideal job thanks to the opportunities these programs can bring.

“Former teacher Bernadette has always had a love for music and after eight months looking for work, she now has a job working four days a week at the stations Silver Memories project,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Training staff from aged care homes to implement the very successful Music Reminiscence Therapy for residents with dementia is making a difference in Queenslanders lives.”

“Through the Mature Workers Mean Business Awards we are hoping to identify and share the stories of our State’s fantastic employers who are taking on mature aged workers and encourage other employers to do the same.

“If your business is currently benefitting from the experience and dedication of a worker who is 55 and over we want to hear from you.”

Minister for Seniors Coralee O’Rourke said Queensland’s mature age workers bring a wealth of experience to the workplace.

“These awards are an important way of recognising those employers who value the contribution mature age workers make to businesses and workplaces across to our state, and celebrate their achievements,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

To nominate for the awards for a chance to win a personalised business coaching program visit www.business.qld.gov.au/experience and tell us in 100 words how your business has benefitted from hiring older workers.

Entries close 5pm, Friday 26 October 2018.

 

ENDS

 

Media contact: Inga Williams            0439 949 719