Remaining competitive in the workforce

A study of more than 1,900 people aged over 50 years finds many mature age Australians are not focusing on education and training opportunities as they age, leaving them vulnerable to unemployment as they get older.

National Seniors chief executive, Michael O’Neill, says the findings highlight the importance of keeping skills and qualifications up to date.

“The changing nature of work, such as a shift towards short term project roles and advances in digital technology means demand for strong skill sets in all occupations and sectors is growing,’’ Mr O’Neill says.

To remain competitive, Mr O’Neill says it is imperative that the over-50s are either maintaining their work skills or acquiring new qualifications.

“It is a two-way street – mature age workers need to be proactive or they run the risk of skills and competencies developed during their working life becoming devalued, especially as computer based technologies take over the workforce,” he says.

The study finds that many mature age Australians do not place great importance on learning, education and training as they don’t believe it contributes to their quality of life.

Forty per cent of respondents indicated they had undertaken some form of learning, education or training within the last three years.

Of the mature age Australians who had participated in learning, education or training, 59% believed their current work-related skills and knowledge were ‘very up to date’ compared with just 24% who believed their skills were ‘very out of date’.

Research shows that a 55 year old who becomes unemployed faces an average 73 weeks out of work compared to person in their 20s who would be out of work for 23 weeks.

The findings are published in a Productive Ageing Centre report, titled Never too late to learn: Learning, education and training among mature age Australians, written by Dr Ruth Williams.