New work skills key to being competitive OLDER workers must acquire new qualifications and boost their work-related skills to remain competitive in the changing workforce, a new National Seniors report shows. A study of more than 1900 people aged over 50 found many mature age Australians were not focusing on education and training opportunities as they aged, leaving them vulnerable to unemployment. National Seniors chief executive Michael O’Neill said the findings highlighted the importance of keeping skills and qualifications up to date. “The changing nature of work, such as a shift to-
wards short-term project roles and advances in digital technology, means demand for strong skillsets in all occupations and sectors is growing,” O’Neill said. “To remain competitive, it’s imperative that the over-50s are either maintaining their work skills or acquiring new qualifications. “It is a two-way street – mature age workers need to be proactive or they run the risk of skills and competencies developed during their working life becoming devalued, especially as computer-based technologies take over the workforce.” This study found many mature age Australians did not place great importance
on learning, education and training as they didn’t believe it contributed to their quality of life. Forty per cent of respondents indicated they had undertaken some form of learning, education or training within the last three years. Of those, 59% believed their current work-related skills and knowledge were very up to date. Research shows that a 55year-old who becomes unemployed faces an average 73 weeks out of work compared to person in their 20s who would be out of work for 23 weeks. See a copy of the report at nationalseniors.com.au.
'072#-< " (+-<6 '+4#<-<1 &745/8 '+4#< " %4#+2/. '072#-<5 " (+-<653 $ ."" :4#,2 8 -&7,2 $ (3,, *39! 609/325 +%31 8 :9/"0 $ (3,, *39! .21'!45 ."",3)%,2 8 +/21!%1,2
*&! #"+%.'-) $., +(-".,+ *)#,-<1 '+4#< #+5; $94!-#+-545 -<:
%#!&%&$""
community news
Guest speaker John Barter spoke about prescription drugs. Seated beside him are Jan and Gwen.
Maroochydore’s VIEW Club turns 14 FLAIR with Flares, A ’70s Affair, will be the theme for the Maroochydore VIEW Club’s 14th birthday on Friday, August 28, at the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club. The cost is $30 for a twocourse meal plus a glass of wine. It is at 11am for a
11.30 start. Dress in your best ’70s attire. Visitors and newcomers are always welcome. If you would like to attend the birthday bash, phone Terri on 5445 3392 before 6pm on Saturday, August 22. All fundraising efforts go
to the Smith Family’s Learning for Life program which helps 1000 disadvantaged students get the most out of education so they can create a better future for themselves. Monthly lunches are held on the fourth Friday of each month. Cost is $23.
", #,$ )%%" !%-* '& !,+%(
A'L@ A'@#A' A'N,>
7 .: +!2% D=:=#%64 7 C9 E9'O F: 19:26='24 7 C9 39:& 7 C9 LI!2 J%%4 7 J962:!#"2NG ,%:2 -=G;%:2 7 ,%:2 544!42=:'% 5/=!N=<N% $69; 1%:26%N!:O A$96 %N!#!<N% 8%98N%@ 7 D9&%6: ( <%&699; 0:!2 K!2" %:40!2% 7 B906 9K: -6!/=2% 19062G=6&
7 +%'06% H=2%& 19;8N%I 7 J0NNG $06:!4"%& 96 <6!:# G906 9K: $06:!206% 7 )%%ONG E!:%: +%6/!'% !:'N0&%& 7 +9;% 96#=:!4%& ='2!/!2!%4 7 5NN ;%=N4 4088N!%&? "9;% '99O%& 9: 2"% 86%;!4%4 7 -0<N!' *6=:48962 =2 2"% L:26=:'% 7 1N94% 29 4"988!:# '%:26%4 M &9'2964 %2'>
<#G H=GABJG >%H#G'3A>#% !7J3DJ $377 9B3G#% -3'JG#%*
J$9 3B.2 H)7H G5.G O"E"K&;+II+0DCKKFM<&M="O1:6M (5 N"K-FM A-8 ?CKKFM ?+/I
www.seniorsnewspaper.com.au
$#!%&&'""
.(-"%+' #$,)!)$,)$+ *)$+-" &$%+/ *=OO !6$K 60 !=K":+ %FM4$0+C/
F=G "J">$3AJ" DA3HH (>77 J%D=GJ &#= GJ$J>:J 377 ABJ BJ7! &#= %JJ" A# DA3& >% ABJ $#'H#GA #H &#=G #(% B#'J*
5.?45;5@9 )0++ 6+6 +/6 (((*$#''=%>A&D=!!#GADJG:>$JD*%JA*3=
%#!'$$&""
N"E+ #K-+4+K-+KIOC ?"I$9
-#''=%>A& 9=!!#GA 9JG:>$JD >D 3 9=%DB>%J -#3DA 23DJ" #GE3%>D3A>#% !G#:>">%E >% B#'J $3GJ DJG:>$JD A# AB#DJ %JJ">%E BJ7! 3A B#'J* F=G I=37>1J" !G#HJDD>#%37 DA3HH (>77 !G#:>"J D=!!#GA (>AB ! CJGD#%37 $3GJ ! ;JD!>AJ ! ,#'JDA>$ D=!!#GA ! 8G3%D>A>#% D=!!#GA ! 9#$>37 D=!!#GA ! C73$J'J%A D=!!#GA DJG:>$JD ! 8G3%D!#GA
August 2015 - Sunshine Coast Seniors- Page 15