The Australian government’s Corporate Champions program is an Australian first and aims to help businesses recruit and retain mature aged people (aged 45 and over) in their workplace. Eligible employers receive tailored support and assistance.
In Queensland, BUSY At Work has been appointed to deliver the Corporate Champions program to help businesses increase mature age workforce participation.
CEO of BUSY At Work Paul Miles welcomed the news and said it would go a long way towards boosting the employment of mature age workers in Queensland.
“There are 1.7 million mature aged people living in Queensland, many of them are interested in working but face barriers to employment,” Mr Miles said.
“We hope this program will help businesses breakdown those barriers and open up opportunities for mature aged people to make a significant contribution and provide new skills and fresh ideas.
“With some industries facing severe skills shortage it makes sense for businesses to look at what older workers can offer their business. Having mature-aged people in your workforce is just as important as recruiting a young 18-year-old apprentice.
“Research shows mature-age workers save their employer $2,000 a year compared to their younger counterparts. The statistics demonstrate that they are more reliable, loyal, cost less to recruit and provide a greater return on investment.”
The Corporate Champions program will help a business move towards best practice in managing a mature age workforce. Participants will receive a professional assessment of their workforce strategies, recruitment and retention practices and practical help in developing a structured action plan.
An action plan could include updating recruitment processes, employing mature-aged apprentices, rolling out new flexible working arrangements and putting into practice retention and mentoring programs.
“Businesses need to rethink their practices when it comes to employing older workers, and this is why we encourage them to become a Corporate Champion.
Research shows the barriers faced by mature age workers include:
A lack of flexible workplaces, age discrimination in the recruitment process, lack of understanding of superannuation and pension reforms, limited formal qualifications, limitations of physical disability, mismatch of skills with industry demands, re-training barriers; and care-giving responsibilities.