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 YOURLifeChoices 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.

Office Manager role in a great business

Macfarlan Lane, located in Melbourne, works with senior people and professionals helping them design new careers and sometimes launch new self-employment ventures.

They are looking for an engaging person who can look after clients, manage communications with sponsoring organisations, improve the look of documents, handle some or all of the book-keeping, work effectively with Word, Excel, Publisher and our website content management system and be one of the key sources of warmth, energy and enthusiasm in the daily life of our office.

Have a look at their website at www.macfarlanlane.com.au – and then shoot off a resume and a cover letter linking your experience with their needs to .

Governess wanted

Fancy spending some time on a cattle ranch in Queensland, expanding the minds of three young children? If you have the relevant teaching qualification and experience then this could be just the post for you.

Experienced Governess required to teach 3 children in years 6 ,4 and prep via QLD school of the Air on an isolated cattle property in Far SW QLD.

Must have a love for kids and the outback. Single female accommodation only.

Further information please email Lorraine on .

Golden gurus

Living life provides many experiences and skills which should be passed on to younger generations.  Announced as a recommendation for the 2020 Summit, the Golden Gurus program needs the experience of older Australians around the nation.

If you are over 50-years of age, have some time to spare and are interested in passing on your knowledge, then organisations and small businesses in your area are signing up to get you on board. As well as providing the opportunity to give back to your community and utilise your valuable skills, by becoming a Golden Guru you can increase your social network, meet new people and potential business contacts if you’re still active in the workforce.

Every skill is valuable, it may not be business related or a trade but you could teach life-skills such as cooking, budgeting or letter writing to a young person or someone with a disability.

For more information on how to become a Golden Guru or which organisations in your area have signed up to the program, visit the Department for Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.

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