THE lack of training and employment opportunities for workers over 45 years of age may not be front-page news in the mainstream media of late, but that’s not to say the issue has gone away.
Among the groups that specialise in training people over 45 is the Council on the Ageing, which offers 12 different computer courses, ranging from basic classes such as Computing for the Mortally Terrified to the more advanced level offered by Desktop Publishing 2 for the More Creative.
The courses, supported by the Lotteries Commission and the Office of Seniors Interests, are held at the Seniors Technology Centre in William Street.
More than 4,000 people have graduated from the introductory course, the first computer course in WA specifically designed for people over 45.
Another group is the non-profit body Don’t Overlook Mature Expertise (DOME).
DOME specialises in helping mature-age workers find employment, as well as setting them on the right path for further training.
It teaches a number of computer courses (cost varies) and offers free in-house workshops specifically designed to help mature workers.
The first workshop, Options, is designed to explain the way of work in the 21st century and provide some ideas on how to plan a foray into the ‘new’ world of work.
The second, Self-Marketing/Networking Workshop, is designed to help people focus on their individual employment goals and the possibility of obtaining work from a number of different sources. It also explores different modes of marketing and how to get to the decision makers.
The workshops are run by Brian Daniel, former training manager with Westpac and former training consultant with the Australian Institute of Management.
While in-house training at DOME itself is limited, the group does help mature workers become re-skilled by putting them in touch with government schemes, including the Profit from Experience program.
The program, delivered through Joblink and funded by the WA Department of Training, assists mature-age people to re-enter the workforce.
Some participants in the program may qualify for special skills grants, with the training provided designed to help secure employment.
