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Questions On Notice Questions on notice are usually asked when a more detailed answer is required and are in writing, and are forwarded by the Clerk of the Parliament to the relevant Minister who prepares a written answer which is presented to Parliament.
Estimates Committee F-Transport, Trade, Employment & IR |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Jul 24 2008 |
| Questions On Notice >> |
Question:
Mr LAWLOR: Minister, I refer to page 3-220 of the Service Delivery Statement indicating that the government invested $2 million in 2007-08 in encouraging employers to adopt age-friendly recruitment and workplace management practices. Minister, is the funding for this program continuing and can you explain the good results experienced for mature age workers in Queensland as a result of this program?
Answer:
Mr MICKEL: Why did they get you to ask that? As a mature age person myself, I am going to answer that. As to the whole idea of this program, I will give you a little anecdote. We launched this program on the Gold Coast at a pie factory, and a couple of staff were there and I think the oldest bloke was 73. It has been a wonderful program because it has said to seniors, 'You still have a stake in our
economy.' The retail section has really embraced this program because it has provided role models. One of the pleasing things I saw in Rockhampton when we were at the Rockhampton railways was that
a lady there was undertaking a program to become a train driver. I will not give up her age but she was eligible, and she had been encouraged by the Experience Pays advertising campaign to go and get a job in the railways. So there is an anecdote and I am sure all of you have got programs and people like that.
The whole idea in an age of shortages was to encourage people who still had something to contribute to get back into the workforce. We have been working with the private sector to make sure
that people are aware of that. In fact we have had seven industry liaison officers funded with key industry and union organisations to work face-to-face with businesses and individuals. Since the start of
the initiative, over 1,700 employers have requested the information packs and over 15,000 information packs have been downloaded from the web site. So there is a huge interest out there. The seven industry liaison officers have been talking to employers in retail, hospitality, manufacturing, local government and other types of industries throughout the state, particularly small and medium organisations, to promote the benefits of older workers and the advantages of a diverse workforce. Feedback from the industry liaison officers and employers indicated there was a need for
more practical tools and tips than what was contained. This led to an employer guide being launched in April 2008.
The guide gives examples of age-friendly job advertisements, places to go to find experienced and mature age workers and information on what a flexible workplace looks like because a lot of these folk, while they want to come back, do not necessarily want to put in five full days. So it is to try to measure them up with the jobs that are around. An employee handbook titled What are your options as an older worker? has recently been printed and it is currently being distributed to businesses and employee associations. If committee members want that booklet, I am sure we will be able to make
that available to them Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 9:56 AM
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