The Minister for Education and Skills, Lin Thorp, has launched a new research report outlining what employers can do to assist mature-aged apprentices.
Ms Thorp said the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry report It’s Not About Age outlined approaches that employers could adopt including strategies for attracting and recruiting mature age apprentices and supporting and guiding them throughout their apprenticeships.

“A key driver of skills shortages in Tasmania is an ageing population, and we risk an imbalance between the number of people entering the workforce and those leaving,” she said.

“More than 45 per cent of Tasmanians have not completed a post-secondary qualification, yet 85 per cent of jobs now require it.

“In this climate, it’s vital that we support existing and mature aged workers so that we can address skills shortages.

“The Tasmanian Skills Strategy is a multi-year plan to tackle the skill-related challenges of population, participation and productivity.

“The strategy is already focussing on support for mature aged workers, guiding our priorities and roll-out of the State and Australian Government-funded Productivity Places Program.

“The program funds the delivery of a range of qualifications at Certificate III to Advanced Diploma level to jobseekers and existing workers.

“Its aims are to address a range of skills shortages which are having a serious impact on Australian industry’s productive capabilities and promote the acquisition of higher level qualifications.

“The Productivity Places Program – Existing Worker tender was advertised by Skills Tasmania in September 2010 and tenders have recently been awarded. Training will be purchased from 24 training organisations, including the Tasmanian Polytechnic and the Skills Institute.

“The State Government is also committed to strengthening adult education and community learning in the State by providing training and education through a linked network of online access centres, libraries and adult education.

“$11 million is also being invested over four years to improve adult literacy. The Adult Literacy Action Plan includes the establishment of a state-wide team of coordinators, supported by trained volunteers to provide adult literacy services to people throughout Tasmania.

“While Tasmania already has a number of strategies in place to support existing and mature aged workers, there is always more we can do.

“It’s Not About Age will provide valuable information and insight that the State Government, employers and state chambers of commerce and industry will be able to use to assist and support mature aged workers and apprentices,” Ms Thorp said.

Source: Tasmanian Government

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