Tas budget offers job program for mature age workers

Older Tasmanians have welcomed the focus on the issue of mature age unemployment.

National Seniors Tasmanian policy chair, John Porter, said the employment initiative aimed at the state’s seniors was applauded.

“The government has recognised the special barriers to employment that some older workers face,” he said.

“National Seniors welcomes the $10 million toward the implementation of the Connect to Work Program, which will focus on increased workforce participation for mature aged Tasmanians.”

He said the plan made sense in terms of social and economic reasons, as Tasmania has one of the country’s oldest populations.

“Supporting seniors to get back into the workforce if they choose, will be necessary to avoid a skills shortage and improves the lives of the individuals involved.”

In other areas of the budget, senior Tasmanians will likely benefit.

“The $6 million in funding for the reform of the out-of-home care services plan is a step in the right direction,” he said.  “However, there is no detail on how much of this will be directed specifically at older Tasmanians.

“National Seniors recognises the flow-on benefits to seniors of investment in health services, infrastructure and social inclusion.   We hope the social inclusion measures will assist seniors, who are more prone to social isolation.”