Seniors Reaching Out for Jobs

A Tasmanian employment program for mature job seekers who are at risk of long-term unemployment is making an impact, its trials have shown.

The program was based on intensive coaching and peer support approach, using the Coaching You For Success (CYFS) model. The Workskills initiative Advanced Job Reach is aimed at 45 – 65-year-olds. Impact Communities, a social impact initiative of the Tasmanian not-for-profit organisation, Workskills Inc. delivered the program.

Samantha Lawrence, the Program Coordinator, stated that: “A lot of research and planning went into the AJR program before I came on board as the pilot coordinator. Workskills supported me to draw upon my own life experiences and previous coaching to develop something as holistic as possible.”

Samantha Lawrence, Program Coordinator.

The CYFS model incorporates both one on one and group coaching sessions and utilises self-assessment, goal setting and action commitments. Participants focus on ‘Life Goals’ and ‘Career Goals’. The AJR trial program also included skills-building sessions matched to the barriers identified by participants in the CYFS process, including digital literacy exercises and tailored job application preparation.

“It was evident after the very first session that AJR approach and coaching methodology resonated with mature jobseekers as the weeks and sessions rolled on the groups naturally formed bonds, with me and each other,” said Lawrence. “Everyone was incredibly supportive of each other and often referred to it as their ‘club’.”

A report on the trials highlighted how participants and stakeholders highly valued the program. Participants embraced CYFS coaching methodology and peer support strategies and that the program had positive impacts on their life, according to Lawrence, with some participants viewing these effects as ‘life-changing.’

“AJR made me reflect that after two years of unemployment, the approach I was taking wasn’t working,” said one participant. “I was sure I was employable but was never successful in getting over the line.

One thing I changed was to research the company beforehand. I still had knock backs; however, I persisted, and the effort paid off.”

Another said that the program had been an effective confidence-builder. “Every AJR session, I was fully engaged and took so much away that I could build upon in my own time. When my work trial with a bus company was not ongoing due to COVID-19, I was determined and with new confidence, I ‘cold canvased’, and was successful in securing a job.”

Australian’s aged over 45 years receiving income support are at higher risk of long-term welfare dependence, and this trend is consistent in southern Tasmania.

In February 2019, there were 2120 persons aged over 50 registered with jobactive providers in Hobart and southern Tasmania; this represented 23.7% of all job seekers registered with jobactive in this region. On 31 May 2020, with the impact of COVID-19, there were 3017 persons aged over 50 registered with jobactive providers in Hobart and southern Tasmania, representing 25.4% of jobactive participants.

The need to provide specialised employment services to mature job seekers seemed clear. A trial was undertaken from August 2019 to February 2020, with three intakes. Intake one was for 12 weeks; the second and third were eight weeks each. The targeted amount of participants per intake was 10 – 14 per intake.

Unfortunately COVID-19 put an end to plans to run further Advanced Job Reach programs this year. “We’ve had to put it on hold until 2021, but it’s definitely going ahead again,” Lawrence said.