Supporting mature age labour force participation is becoming increasingly important for a variety of reasons, some of which include increasing longevity, shifts in working population, recent economic uncertainty and proposed changes to government policy. Such factors create the need for many individuals to extend their working lives, yet many barriers to mature age employment exist. This report proposes that, combined, these factors make it increasingly important for all adults to plan for their future working life no matter what age they are or what occupation they are in. Career... [+] Show more
Supporting mature age labour force participation is becoming increasingly important for a variety of reasons, some of which include increasing longevity, shifts in working population, recent economic uncertainty and proposed changes to government policy. Such factors create the need for many individuals to extend their working lives, yet many barriers to mature age employment exist. This report proposes that, combined, these factors make it increasingly important for all adults to plan for their future working life no matter what age they are or what occupation they are in. Career planning is one mechanism that can support mature age labour force participation.
This study aims to provide new insights into career planning among mature age Australians by exploring the following areas: perceptions of career planning among mature age people; mature age people's experiences with career planning; the proportion of mature age people intending to undertake career planning in the future; and career planning needs of mature age people. Data were collected as part of the 2014 National Seniors Social Survey, which covered a range of topics including health, employment, financial and social issues. From the findings, it appears that the majority of mature age people simply do not see career planning as being relevant to their own situation. The report recommends that, given its critical role in supporting mature age participation, greater recognition of the importance of career planning is needed to encourage mature age people to proactively plan for their career and consider ongoing learning options before a crisis hits. Change is an inevitable part of life, even work-life, so there is a need to prepare for it through mid- and later-life career planning.
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