‘Past it’ over 45s told to retrain
The Australian
July 23, 2014
EMPLOYERS regard workers as over the hill at 45, Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan said yesterday as she criticised Australia’s “deeply ageist’’ culture.
I'm not sure our culture is ageist... but some people in hiring positions certainly are.
Warning they risked years on the dole queue, Ms Ryan urged middle-aged workers to retrain and upskill early to prolong their careers.
Early? like before you know you are going to get dumped? Or while you are training the Indians who will get your job? Or.... most people have no idea they are going to be axed and when and upskilling is not as simple as some make out... sometimes it would be downskilling and then your Cv will kill you when they see your upskills there in black and white.
Four out of 10 workers who lose their job in their 50s or 60s will spend at least two years on the dole, she said.
Or more.
One in five of the over-50s on Newstart have been out of work for at least four years.
yep or more....
“People who are 45 should start thinking about the future and check their need to retrain if they are in a dying industry,’’ Ms Ryan told The Australian.
Like what? IT, no one would think that is a dying industry. What other industries are going to die in the future? Got a crystal ball perhaps?
“After 45, it’s harder and harder to find a job.’’
Why? You are still young enough to be fit and active and experienced enough to have skills and a good work ethic.
In a speech to be delivered to the CPA Australia in Melbourne today, Ms Ryan will say there is “no point’’ in the federal government raising the pension age to 70 by 2030 without “attitudinal change’’ towards older workers.
yep, but I'm betting it won't happen and that many people now unemployed over 55 will never get a job before retirement age certainly not a full time job.
“There is no point requiring people to work longer if age discrimination prevents them from getting a job,’’ her speech will say.
So having stated the bleeding obvious, what is the solution?
“Our culture is deeply ageist … age discrimination in the workplace is still a huge problem.
Why? Too many young people in recruitment agencies perhaps?
“Given the skills shortages in our economy, and the very low birthrate that means fewer young workers coming on to the market, the failure of business to use the talent pool of older workers is irrational and self-defeating.’’
yep but it keeps happening, the question is why... and the why isn't just some vague term like culture.
Ms Ryan said the over-50s control 40 per cent of Australia’s wealth, with discretionary spending power of $218 billion.
Not if they are unemployed....
She will meet Australian Public Service Commissioner Stephen Sedgwick this week to push for recruitment targets for over-50s workers, as well as those with disabilities, in government departments.
LOL, good luck with that.
She said the public service should take the lead in providing career opportunities for disadvantaged workers.
By doing what?
Ms Ryan said older workers were being targeted in redundancy programs.
As per usual...
“When redundancies are offered, there is a fair bit of pressure on people in their 50s and 60s to take one,’’ she said.
And these days unless they have a nest egg and financial security already mapped out till retirement they would be stupid to take it.
“The unspoken thing is, ‘You’ve had a good run, move over’.
They mean roll over... and die.
“But it would be better to restructure the person’s job to include a lot of mentoring and training for young people.
Oh dear....
“The young person will have the IT skills
oh dear...
but young people don’t have the corporate knowledge and client relationship experience that you get when you’ve been working for decades.’’
Nice bit of stereotyping and short sightedness... and she's supposed to be helping the older worker?
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