Age barrier fight for career success

This week, I was told of a highly qualified and energetic woman executive who could not find a job and was facing some serious financial hardships as a result. She feared she was the victim of ageism and tried ‘‘whitewashing’’ her c.v. in a bid to at least get a job interview - it hadn’t worked.

With constant talk about holding onto skills in New Zealand and the push for economic growth, it was even harder and more frustrating for her to deal with her situation.

Ageism, like sexism and racism is not just unpalatable, it is just plain stupid, and short sighted. Work situations are constantly changing, but we are all going to have to work longer.

So I was intrigued by Randstad’s agreement to acquire a 100 per cent stake in Sageco, a provider of ‘‘career transitions’’ in Australia and New Zealand.

The firm specialises in finding other avenues for workers who have weathered organisational change resulting in redeployment, redundancy, retirement, role and leadership changes.

In particular, Sageco claims it has has deep expertise in career, mature age and executive positions.

Randstad wants to be a global player in outplacement. This is the word to describe the business of finding other opportunities for talent of any age, and it isn’t surprising that money can be made.

Randstad’s aggressive move started last year with the acquisition of RiseSmart, a USbased market leader in this new industry.

Alison Monroe, who will take up the role of National Director, Australia New Zealand for the new Sageco, said: ’’We are excited about the expanding opportunities to transform career experiences of people of all ages and stages in their life - to create a positive future.’’

Businesses are capitalising on the changing nature of work. I hope the emergence of this useful service industry will help people finding themselves adrift, and also businesses who need to harness that displacement of skill, experience, talent and insight.