HELPING HAND FOR MATURE AGED WORKERS: McCORMACK

Mature aged workers in the Riverina and Central West are being offered a helping hand to find work during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

Member for Riverina and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said changes to the Career Transition Assistance (CTA) program would ease and quicken access to funded training.

The CTA program assists mature job seekers aged 45 and over with training and support to improve their digital literacy, job opportunities and identifying transferrable skills.

The program will be funded by an additional $41.7 million from early May until June 2022.

“Mature aged workers have not only given a lot to our community, but they have so much more to offer and we should be encouraging them to continue working if they wish,” Mr McCormack said.

“Sometimes mature age workers face hurdles along the path to new job opportunities, but they can be overcome with a little help and this is where the CTA program is so valuable.”

The Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the CTA program was effective and popular with participants and the facilitators who delivered it.

“We want to increase the number of people who can access it, particularly during these challenging economic times,” Minister Cash said.

“Establishing a separate funding source for this effective program will ensure even more mature age job seekers can build their confidence using different types of technology, such as smartphones, tablets, apps, social media and computers.”

Mr McCormack said the CTA program would be made available online during the COVID-19 pandemic so mature age Australians could continue to access the valuable support the CTA program delivered.

“To compete in today’s job market, and in particular in the current environment, some mature age workers may need support to improve their digital skills, and that’s exactly what this program delivers,” Mr McCormack said.

More information can be found at: https://www.employment.gov.au/career-transition-assistance.

Shane Manning