CAREER TRANSITION ASSISTANCE FOR OLDER WORKERS

Mature-age people will soon benefit from increased employment opportunities through the Turnbull Government’s Career Transition Assistance (CTA) program trial starting today.

The CTA program provides practical assistance to help older Australians gain the contemporary skills they need to move into ongoing employment.

Five locations across the country will undertake the CTA trial designed to help older workers become more competitive in their local labour markets through tailored, intensive workshops, designed to build on their transferable skills.

Ten organisations have been selected to deliver CTA in the employment regions, chosen to reflect a range of labour market conditions and to cover both metropolitan and regional areas.

Participants will attend one or both of two career transition courses; Tailored Career Assistance and Functional Digital Literacy. They will also have an opportunity to work alongside other mature age people looking for work and be led by a facilitator experienced in career coaching or professional development.

Minister for Jobs and Innovation, Senator Michaelia Cash today launched the first day of the program at North Metropolitan TAFE in Joondalup, one of three providers in Western Australia that will deliver CTA.

“The Turnbull Government wants to support people most impacted by our changing economy and provide opportunities for them to acquire skills that will equip them for the future,” Minister Cash said.

“We are setting the right policy conditions and putting the right programs in place to ensure that Australian’s looking for a job are given the right support.”

Federal Member for Moore, Ian Goodenough said last month’s Budget provided considerable support for older Australians.

“The Turnbull Government is investing $189.7 million into a More Choices for a Longer Life package which contained a range of measures to help people remain independent and connected into their later years,” Mr Goodenough said.

“I am aware of constituents who find it difficult to gain employment over the age of 50.  The average age in my electorate is 39 – just a few years younger than the group this program is designed for.

“I’m pleased that mature Australians, some with decades of working life ahead of them, are being supported to upskill, retrain and build the confidence necessary to find gainful employment.”