With the ageing of the Australian population and the retirement age now set to rise to 70, it is more important than ever to encourage experienced workers to remain in the workforce and also introduce programs to pass their skills and knowledge on to others.

In recognition of the fact that mature age workers are critical to Australia’s ongoing economic success, the Australian Government has responded with the Experience+ initiative to support mature-age people to participate in the workforce.

At IPA we’re delighted to have been appointed by the government to consult to employers on mature aged workforce participation as an official provider to the Corporate Champions Program.

Within this initiative, specific support is available to assist employers in recruiting and retaining mature aged workers as well as developing succession plans.

It has been identified that maintaining momentum around workforce participation will require a long-term approach which recognises that achieving sustainable change will be a generational undertaking. As will addressing workforce participation both to introduce new workers to the workforce as much as retain and re-enter existing workers to the workforce.

To work towards this, “Corporate Champions” is part of a $70 million, 4 year allocation, announced by the Government in April 2012, to assist organisations focus on maximising mature age participation and help address negative attitudes and recruitment practices towards mature age people.

Through this program, employers can get assistance to develop workplace practices that assist them to employ mature-age workers and to keep them working in their business for longer, as well as providing some financial incentives.

Your business can reap the benefits of a package of mature age assistance including up to a $10,000 Restart Incentive, grants of up to $4,400 for skills recognition and large employers can receive up to $20,000 worth of consulting assistance consisting of

• A professional assessment of workforce strategies, recruitment and retention practices
  
• Practical help developing an action plan using the Investing in Experience Tool Kit. This could include updating recruitment processes, rolling out new flexible working arrangements and putting into practice retention and mentoring programs for mature-age workers
  
• Support to access Australian Government financial assistance including the Experience+ Jobs Bonus
  
• Advice on positive age management, superannuation, occupational health and safety, career planning, training and age discrimination
  
• Small, medium and large employers may be eligible to receive support through the Corporate Champions program
  
• The program is delivered by a number of expert providers who work with employers in both regional and metropolitan areas across Australia

Further information can also be found on our website http://www.ipa.com.au/employers/employer-resources