No 'use by date': an advocacy statement on mature aged workers and unemployment

This document investigates some of the issues faced by mature aged (generally over the age of 45) workers when they become unemployed. Mission Australia is a community service organisation providing community and employment services throughout Australia. To compile this report, Mission Australia conducted research at their employment and training centres around the nation where staff maintain strong links with the unemployed, employers and major industry bodies. The information gathered provides insight into the problems experienced by mature aged job seekers and enables Mission Australia to propose improvements to existing support and employment services and innovative strategies for addressing unemployment. The report begins with demographic data relating to unemployment for the mature age group and other factors such as gender, ethnicity, and the regional and industry distribution of unemployment. It then examines the causes and effects of unemployment, the barriers to gaining employment and possible solutions such as innovation in Job Network and other programs, adopting different approaches to job searching, and starting a business. The report concludes that solutions can be found if governments, communities, employers and non-government organisations build a strong partnership to address the issues. Seven recommendations are made in support of this goal. Show less