Education, Job Search and Training
May 28, 2020
If you find yourself with reduced income, re-training or accessing further education may be an option. Most employment providers will assist you in developing an employment plan and give you advice about how to approach the employment market. Volunteering can also be an important part of maintaining your skills, learning new ones and developing a network that can help with your job search.
Getting Started
- Keep an eye out for free or low-cost skills training
- Get a referral through Centrelink to Job Active
- Keep your CV up to date
- Set up a search on Seek for local opportunities
- Let family and friends know you are looking for work
- Learn the basics of working as a contractor or setting up a micro business
- Look for local volunteer opportunities that might lead to employment
Searching and applying for jobs is a job in itself and can be very frustrating and disheartening. Keep things in perspective, have a friend on your side and set time or times each week when you focus only on job search and applications.
Services
Funded by the Australian Government to help people find a job by connecting job seekers with employers. Register with any of over 1,700 local providers to get help with resume writing, looking for work, preparing for interviews and developing skills. Referrals to Job Active are through Centrelink.
The Australian Government’s Department of Education, Skills, and Employment provides a range of resources for mature job seekers to remain in the workforce, retrain for new career opportunities, have flexibility in their later working years and retire with security.
Volunteer Recruitment Services
Many older women already volunteer to support their local community. These resources can help you refine your volunteering to be more focused on skill development or pathways to employment The following organisation all list volunteering opportunities:
- Volunteering Queensland - 3002 7600
- GoVolunteer
- Pro-Bono Australia
- Queensland State Emergency Services (SES)
Skilling Queenslanders for Work Programs
A Queensland Government initiative that funds training and support for unemployed or underemployed people.
Dress for Success (managed by Suited To Success)
Phone: 07 3216 1969
Provides a free job interview outfit and personalised styling to help you get the job you’re applying for - and once employment has been secured, you can return for a second complementary outfit. If you are applying for a job and have nothing appropriate to wear you can book in for a styling session.
They also can provide free online styling with an experienced volunteer stylist via video-conferencing for those unable to physically attend their Brisbane boutique. The session will include advice on interview presentation and selection of interview appropriate outfits, which includes clothing, accessories, shoes and toiletries bag.
They also provide a number of training programs for all ages to help you overcome barriers to employment, improve your confidence and employability.
Phone: 07 3735 3798
Email: sistersinbusiness@griffith.edu.au
Empowering underemployed or unemployed women aged 50+ to start their own business, The Sisters Project, a Griffith University aims to empower women by building their self-confidence, bringing them together to form support networks or partnerships, and providing them with skill development, training, mentoring and coaching support, and grants to start a small business.
Exists to enable women to be financially independent and stand tall. They provide a genuine alternative for women who are unable to participate in mainstream employment by providing women with the tools, networks and resources to establish or grow a business.
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