Business benefits from hiring mature workers
DEPENDING on your own age perspective, 40 is the new 20 and 50 is the new 30.
Then again, with today’s frenetic pace of life, it is not surprising to find that there are those who view 70 as the new 40.
Either way, many people are living longer, healthier lives and we’re collectively getting smarter too. It’s official — the most recent Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show those in our nation are collectively living longer, and with all that extra time, an increasing number of those in the ageing population are completing formal university education.
It should not be surprising then that we are being more productive with our time, as pressure mounts for individuals to remain within the workforce well beyond retirement age.
Apart from the obvious financial need for self-reliance, at a time when security in retirement is becoming increasingly elusive, there is the opportunity of fulfilling that ultimate goal of consolidating a lifetime’s worth of experience into a formally-recognised qualification.
The aspiration, too, of finally taking the plunge into study, and pursuing a long held desired career change, is made possible through accessible online university courses designed for today’s matureminded individuals.
But what happens once that shiny degree is proudly hung up on the study wall and an eager graduate’s attention turns towards finding work? Unfortunately, there appears to be an unofficial collective understanding by employers that graduate roles seem to be for younger employees.
The glaring lack of graduate jobs available to mature-age alumni highlights the likelihood of assumptions being made by employers.
The excuse that older workers are unwilling to learn new skills simply does not apply to recent university graduates who have proven their worth. There may be an assumption that mature-age graduates are primarily motivated to work full time jobs at higher rates of remuneration.
Some employers might find it challenging dealing with older graduates who aspire to greater levels of self-direction within the workplace.
There is a wealth of life experience that is being left untapped by employers, particularly in small businesses, where the primary focus regardless of industry is often on delivering superior customer service. Many mature-age graduates are generally proficient at presenting high levels of work commitment, reliability and exhibit a greater understanding of customer needs, as a result of their transferable people skills.
By offering flexible working arrangements, including parttime and job sharing options, being supportive of older workers undertaking further study, as well as encouraging intergenerational engagement within the workplace, employers can benefit from the value that mature-age graduates bring to businesses.
Angela Zalizniak is a postgraduate student at Southern Cross University