Career Skills for New Jobs
Helping older job seekers to re-enter and stay in the workforce
PwC has been engaged by the Australian Government and funded by the Department of Social Services’ Try, Test and Learn Fund to pilot an innovative approach to help older job seekers move off welfare and into work. Our approach will help these older job seekers to find and sustain employment - and ultimately reduce their risk of long term dependence on welfare.
The Career Skills for New Jobs pilot is about increasing the skills and confidence of older Australians to self-manage their careers and re-enter the workforce. It aims to provide practical, accessible ways to boost older job seekers' work prospects by:
- matching them to an experienced career practitioner, who will deliver tailored career management support designed to build their skills, tools and confidence to manage their career;
- providing access to career and other diagnostics, to help job seekers identify skills, interests, behaviours, and barriers to employment;
- connecting them to further education and training, to help them upskill or reskill; and
- linking them to potential employers, mentors, and existing whole-of-person resources, to support them on their path off welfare back into work.
These services will bring together the best of what already exists - through a digital Career Management Tool - a ‘smart’ technology-based platform that uses existing information about the individual (their skills, experience, interests, etc.) and the local jobs market to help tailor the career support for the individual.
Desired outcomes for the 250 individuals who take part in the pilot include:
- Find sustainable employment
- Build new skills
- Increase their self confidence and ‘readiness’ for work
- Increase their resilience
- Reduce barriers to employment
Supported by the Try, Test and Learn Fund – an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Social Services.
Interested in taking part in the pilot as an individual participant?
The pilot will accept 250 older job seekers on Newstart Allowance and living in Western Sydney. From October 2019, participants will be able to access their career coach and our digital Career Management Tool.
Interested in knowing more or staying up to date with the pilot and our progress?
Local employers, training providers, community organisations, and other interest groups have a unique opportunity to support the success of this pilot.
