By Staff Writer

A new project will help alleviate ageing workforce issues by creating a path for older people into the health and care areas of local government. Dr Libby Brooke, from Swinburne University’s Business, Work and Ageing Centre for Research, has recently been granted a VicHealth Research Fellowship to fund a project aiming to attract older workers back into employment.

The project will create a path for older people into the health and care services arm of local governments. Counselling will be offered, and measures taken to provide work opportunities for older employees in rural and suburban Victoria .

“We are working specifically with the health care services area, since this is an area which constantly needs more labour supply. It is also a good area to focus on in trying to recruit older people, since the job will suit older workers,” she says.

Dr Brooke’s program is the first use of a ‘work ability’ program — balancing the needs of the job with personal factors such as health, motivation and lifestyle. A similar exercise in Finland proved to be successful in keeping older employees working for longer.