Experts encourage mature age employment

Experts encourage mature age employment
By admin


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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Experts encourage mature age employment

Experts encourage mature age employment
By admin


Experts have encouraged employers to embrace the value of mature aged workers, as Meetings and Events Australia chief executive Linda Gaunt stressed they are an “undervalued resource” in the industry.

Speaking candidly at a press briefing at Ayers Rock over the weekend, minister for tourism Martin Ferguson said the reluctance of employers to hire mature aged workers was a major downfall of the tourism and events industries.

Noting that many employers turn a blind eye to older employees in favour of younger staff, he said the industry had “failed to recognise the value of mature aged workers”.

Speaking with The Nibbler yesterday, MEA chief executive Linda Gaunt agreed that mature aged workers were “significantly under-appreciated” in the events industry.

But she stopped short of labelling it a failure, insisting that some employers willingly hire mature aged workers without tertiary qualifications.

“There is no denying the industry is yet to recognise the benefits of older workers, but the industry hasn't failed. We’re just not doing enough,” she said.

Gaunt said it was common for employers to avoid hiring older staff in favour of younger employees with tertiary skills. But with mature aged workers often proving more loyal and flexible, Gaunt said older employees were often a "better fit" for companies.

“Mature aged workers are an undervalued resource in our industry, and there is a lesson to be learned here. If employers are frustrated by not being able to find good, capable staff, consider mature employees as an option because you might be surprised,” Gaunt said.

Business Events Council of Australia executive manager Inge Garofani said mature aged workers were supported in that many were currently employed in the events industry. But she conceded that more guidance and support was needed to upskill younger staff.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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