More Help for Mature Age Workers

The Australian Government is making $30 million available over the next three years, so that 7500 mature age workers with trade relevant skills but no formal qualifications will have the opportunity to have their skills assessed and formally recognised. More Help for Mature Age Workers is aimed at workers aged 50 years and over and provides a focus on skilling up mature age workers to address both productivity and skills shortages.

DEEWR invites applications from employers in industries where there are a high proportion of trade occupations under the new More Help for Mature Age Workers initiative. Occupations generally classified by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) as Technicians and Trade Workers; Machinery Operators and Drivers and Labourers are being targeted. Priority industries targeted include the Construction, Manufacturing, Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services.

The grant can also apply to small business owners who are in this targeted age group and operate in these industries.

The initiative builds upon the $43 million in government support through a range of Experience+ programs and services to help employers attract and retain mature workers including Experience+ Training, which aims to help mature age workers to remain engaged in the workforce and to share their knowledge and experience to apprentices and trainees.

Further information about More Help for Mature Age Workers and related programs can be accessed through the website, by emailing experience@deewr.gov.au or by calling 13 17 64.