The Federal Government has announced $25.8 million in spending over four years to provide assistance for eligible mature age jobseekers in finding and keeping a job.

 

The Mature Age Participation – Job Seeker Assitance Program will begin on 1 January 2013 and will provide eligible job seekers aged 55 years and over with intensive job preparation assistance.

 

The program will also provide up to $500 per participant to purchase items and services they need to be work ready.

 

Professional career counselling, help with financial planning and the opportunity to share their experiences with other mature age Australians also looking for work, will be key features of the new program.

 

“To keep our economy strong we need to have highly skilled and experienced Australians in our workplaces,” Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Bill Shorten said.

 

“The skills and experience of a lifetime of work makes mature age Australians an extremely valuable asset to both our workplaces and the broader economy.”

 

The program will help to prevent longer spells of unemployment and will encourage job seekers to re-engage with the labour force sooner.

 

The program will be delivered by a panel of expert providers in areas or industries where the Government feels it will best meet individual, employer and community needs.