Work, Education and Ageing
Are you interested in working part-time, volunteering or perhaps taking on some study? You’ll find information and links to relevant organisations here on the About Seniors Work & Education page, plus the latest news updates on issues and opportunities for workers over 50 years of age.
Our Lifelong Learning section is filled with information on short and long term courses available around Australia ranging from Basic car maintenance courses to a course on Myths and Legends.
The greatest gift in life, is to give to someone else, and Volunteering is a great way to do it, so get out there if you can and donate some of your time to make this world of ours a better place!
Check out the Jobs for Over 50 Workers & Seniors and see if you can find something to suit you!
Universities of the Third Age
Universities of the Third Age, or U3As as they are more often called, are voluntary, non-profit organisations which aim to offer older people low-cost educational opportunities that operate in a pleasant, supportive social setting. There are no formal entry requirements, no examinations and no “awards”. U3As are built on the premise that, collectively, older people have the skills & knowledge to provide learning for themselves. Find out more.
Get back out there
Now that the Australian economy is once again in strong growth, job advertisements are also on the increase, reaching a 31-month high in December. With companies now up and running after the Christmas break, maybe it’s time for you to have a look around.
Good news for those who prefer to look in the paper for a job, as job ads during December rose 11.6% while online job advertisements increased 5.6%. The amount of job advertisements as of January 11 was sitting 19.1% higher than the low point seen in July 2009.
‘’This sustained improvement in job advertisements and actual employment has come relatively early in this economic recovery cycle, indicating the ‘mildness’ of the downturn Australia has experienced over the past 18 months,’’ said ANZ Acting Chief Economist Warren Hogan.
If you are looking for a casual, part-time or full time job, why not try two of the popular online employment websites listed below.
Seek
My Career
Successful budgeting
Everyone assumes that they know how to budget but if, at the end of the month, you’re left with nothing, then maybe a refresher is needed.
Many TAFEs run short courses on how to manage money, budgeting and borrowing money. Holmesglen in Melbourne run a course called Budgeting Successfully taught by someone who has had to learn the value of budgeting the hard way!
This course lasts for six hours and is held on various dates and campuses. For more information, visit Homlesglen or contact your local TAFE to find out which courses they have to suit your needs.
Redundancy tips
Bad things do happen and it’s doubly upsetting when you are retrenched. First you lose your job, your work friends and then your confidence. But all is not lost.
If you’re the main bread winner or at a stage in your life where finding a new job may be difficult, then redundancy can seem like the end of the world. However, there are many positives to be taken, such as the possibility of finding a better paid job or one which has more suitable working hours.
People do pick themselves up after redundancy and are often better for it.
Give it a go
One of the best things about living in Australia is being able to give things a go. It’s not too late to start learning something new this year.
Whether it’s a new language, art history, Asian cooking or yoga, community colleges and learning centres throughout the states and territories offer flexible and affordable learning programmes. Often supported or funded by the Government, the aim is to equip people with life skills, or give them a social element to learning.
For details of what you can do in your area, click on your state below.
Victoria
South Australia
NSW
Western Australia
Queensland
ACT
Northern Territories
Tasmania
