Kate Ellis MP. Employment Participation Minister: Older, wiser... highly employable

Media Release.

Fresh from the success of the Jobs and Skills Expo yesterday, Jobs Week in Adelaide rolled on today with two events aimed at recruiting and assisting Adelaide's mature age jobseekers.

Employment Participation Minister and Member for Adelaide Kate Ellis said the Gillard Labor Government's popular Corporate Champions Breakfast series returned to Adelaide this morning, to Kate Ellis MP.promote to local businesses the benefits of employing older workers.

In addition, a Mature Age Employment Forum brought together a range of stakeholders including more than 150 job seekers to focus on the barriers older people face in the job market and the support available.

Ms Ellis joined Member for Hindmarsh Steve Georganas at the Corporate Champions Breakfast to meet local businesses and promote the benefits and Government incentives on offer to recruit older workers.

"Corporate Champions really do 'champion' the employment of Australians aged 45 years and over," Ms Ellis said.

"Research shows mature age workers save their employer $2,000 a year compared with their younger counterparts because they are more reliable and loyal and provide a greater return on investment.

"Everald Compton AM, Chair of the Advisory Panel on Positive Ageing addressed the breakfast attendees, outlining the important role older Australians play in the labour force and society.

"Employers can benefit from a range of Labor Government initiatives to help them recruit and retain older workers and use their skills and experience in their operations."

Mr Georganas said businesses that sign up to be a Corporate Champion benefit from assistance including:

- Priority access to the Jobs Bonus of $1,000 available to 2,500 employers who recruit mature age job seekers each financial year until 2016.

- Up to $20,000 worth of services from an industry expert to help improve their workforce planning and recruitment strategies.

- Up to $4,400 per employer for a skills assessment and training through the Investing in Experience Skills Recognition and Training program.

Ms Ellis said there was a need for direct programs to support mature age workers in the region.

"We know that mature age job seekers in South Australia aged 55 and over are on average unemployed for a staggering 81 weeks - that's over 18 months looking for work," she said.

Ms Ellis also hosted a Mature Age Employment Forum today, bringing together a range of stakeholders including job seekers, employers, job service providers and mature age workforce specialists.

Participants discussed issues around the recruitment and retention of mature age workers, as well as the barriers older people face when trying to break into the job market after a long period of unemployment.

"We're supporting mature age job seekers, helping employers with $55 million worth of advice and incentive programs, and promoting a new mindset about workers aged 45 and over," she said.