Apprenticeships, Employment & Training Provider | VERTO
VERTO is an award winning, not-for-profit organisation assisting businesses and individuals with all their apprenticeship, employment and training needs. Our expertise covers a range of areas including Aboriginal services, Australian apprenticeships services, disability services, employment services and vocational training to help businesses, individuals and local industry to thrive. Our mission is to positively impact the lives of individuals and communities and we’ve built a track record of exemplary customer service over 35 years, built around an ethical approach.You'll find the team in over 40 locations across New South Wales.
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How older Australians can find new job opportunities
By Ron Maxwell - CEO
Australia's ageing population coupled with increasing life expectancy means that many of us are going to have to work longer than ever before. The reality is that retiring at age 65 is not possible for many, and with around 15 per cent of Australians currently aged 65 or over, and this number only set to grow, our economy would be hard hit if it was.
But working into our later years can be fraught with worry; the risk of redundancy or technology replacing our jobs is very real for some of us. Statistics show that finding employment after 50 can be far more challenging, and at a time of such rapid change, where we are seeing some roles and even industries shrinking or becoming obsolete, it can be hard to see the opportunities.
Older Australians have much to offer
More and more employers are realising the benefits of hiring mature-aged workers, who bring a wealth of experience and skills that can only be learnt over time, along with stability, reliability, resilience and maturity. There are also numerous studies out there that show that an intergenerational workforce improves productivity and increases engagement and collaboration, so hiring older workers really makes sense on a number of levels.
Mature-aged workers can also be fantastic mentors for younger employees who might be new to the role or the industry and can benefit from a mentor with a wealth of experience. It's not just industry or job experience either; it’s life experience. From dealing with different personalities, to navigating workplace politics, and coping with change, older workers have a rich tapestry of experience to share.
Employer attitudes are changing but there are still misconceptions
Employers are changing their attitudes towards hiring older workers and we are hearing more and more good news stories about businesses who are actively seeking them out. At NAB, for example, mature aged workers have become a key part of their recruitment and diversity strategy because they see experience and resilience as sources of competitive advantage.
One of the key misconceptions we hear from employers when it comes to hiring older workers is that they won’t be able to adapt to technology, however, data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics indicates that Australians aged 55-64 are the fastest growing users of information technology. In many cases, the person simply hasn't had exposure to a particular device or piece of software, and it's just a case of accessing the right training opportunities.
Which brings me to another misconception; sometimes employers can't see training an older employee as a long-term investment. However, with such high job mobility in younger generations, (employees under 25 are likely to change jobs every 20 months, compared to 6 years and 8 months for those aged 45+), the reality is in stark contrast.
Finding opportunities in a changing workforce
Amid all this disruption, it can be difficult to see opportunity, but the reality is that there are options out there for older workers. The key lies in upskilling or re-skilling to build the digital and technical skills that support existing skills and experience. You can teach a person how to use technology, but soft skills and experience built over many years in the workplaceare irreplaceable.
The Federal Government has funded a number of programs for both employers and individuals, such as Skills Checkpoint and Career Transition Assistance, which are designed to help mature-aged workers develop the skills employers are looking for. Taking advantage of these programs is critical for older Australians who need the digital capabilities and confidence to take on a new role or transition to a new career.
Beyond skill building, many of these initiatives also help job seekers and employees at risk of redundancy to create a career plan and access the resources and services that will help them realise their goals. And, if you are eligible, you can access government funding, so it won’t affect your hip pocket either.
If you are an employer who has mature-aged workers in need of up or re-skilling, or you are an older Australian looking for new opportunities, I encourage you to contact the local provider of Skills Checkpoint in your region to find out more.
How we can encourage more women into trade apprenticeships
By Ron Maxwell - CEO
I have certainly seen anecdotal evidence of this at VERTO, but I was pleased to read recently that women are taking up more apprenticeships in the electrical trades than ever before, and in some areas, outpacing their male counterparts.
I've long been a supporter of increasing female participation across our traditional trades, for a number of reasons.
There are many positive outcomes
First and foremost, increasing gender diversity is a positive for any industry; it brings different perspectives to a workplace, and can change outdated cultures for the better. There are also numerous studies out there that suggest gender diversity increases productivity across the workforce, so it can be a win on that front too. Industries and businesses will benefit from attracting a wider range of applicants, particularly with skills shortages upon us in many trades.
From a job seeker perspective, encouraging more women into trades will open up a wider range of career prospects for female applicants. At a time when youth unemployment is high in many areas, and university graduates report finding it hard to get a job, opening up new career paths is certainly a good thing.
I also read with interest recently a study by Cornell University in the US, that found the difference between occupations and industries in which men and women work accounts for more than half of the gender pay gap.
There are many reasons why we should encourage more women into apprenticeships; the challenge lies in how we overcome social perceptions and encourage industries to make cultural changes that will see more women choose and go on to have successful careers in our trades.
Perceptions need to change
In my mind, one of the biggest barriers to female participation in our trades is social perception. Some industries are still viewed by wider society as being 'masculine', and this is impacting the career choice of female school leavers. There is research out there that suggests, in some cases, parents are actively talking their daughters out of taking on trades, with the main reasons cited being added risks in a male environment, 'dirty' work and heavy lifting.
While these shouldn’t be barriers anyway, it is worth noting that our trades are rapidly changing. Cultures are in transition, and the actual work itself is different to what it was even ten years ago. There is more and more technical equipment involved and trades increasingly require a level of mathematics, technology and computer skills. Just think about the car, for instance, what was once fixed with a wrench, is now an onboard computer that needs a different skillset to solve problems.
I talked recently about the importance of parents talking to their teenagers about the wide-range of career options out there and this certainly applies to young women and trades too. There are some fantastic stories out there of women who choose trade apprenticeships. One that comes to mind for me is the story of Rachel Dudok, who achieved excellent marks at school, but didn’t want to go down the university path. She instead decided to take on an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer apprenticeship. It’s clear when you watch the video of Rachel talking about her role, that she loves her job and has a very fulfilling career.
Industries and businesses must support this transition
It's important that our traditional trades look internally to see why they aren't attracting more female candidates and understand what can be done to level the playing field. It's true that women are underrepresented in most, if not all, of these industries, so putting additional structures in place to support and grow female participation makes sense.
There are some great examples of recruitment programs out there, such as the Ausgrid Bright Spark program, which actively encourages female electrical apprentices, resulting in 75 per cent of a recent intake being women. These large-scale programsare something we should grow, but smaller businesses can support female tradespeople too, through one-to-one mentoring programs.
An example that comes to mind is a VERTO client, Rebecca Anne, who undertook a mechanical apprenticeship with a car dealership. To help her on her journey, she was mentored by an experienced female mechanic, who could act as a sounding board and help her navigate the challenges women in male-dominated industries can face.
Ongoing mentoring and creating an environment that supports women are key, in my opinion. I've spoken before about the power of mentoring for any apprentice, and I think this is truer than ever when it comes to women working in our traditional trades.
At VERTO, we see a number of female tradies who have rewarding and fulfilling careers in trade industries. An increase in gender diversity will only be a good thing for traditionally male-dominated industries, and I hope we can see more employers getting on board with programs that both attract and retain more female tradies now and into the future.
Interested in an apprenticeship? Click here to find out how VERTO can help!
VERTO Helps Seniors to get ‘Tech Savvy’
March 14, 2019
Seniors within the Bathurst region will be able to get up to date with the latest technology through VERTO’s Tech Savvy Seniors course. The course is aimed at providing seniors with the opportunity to develop the skills and confidence they need to use technology for socialising, accessing important services or conducting personal business.
The course involves seven sessions that include information on computers, smartphones, tablets, social media, cyber safety, the internet, email and online banking. Participants are able to bring their own personal devices to become familiar with processes they will then use at home.
Bathurst local, Elizabeth Inwood, has enrolled in the Tech Savvy Seniors course and explained, “I am excited to update my computer, phone and tablet skills and find out how to use technology I have never used before. These days, things change rapidly, and I want to keep up.”
Commenting on the course, VERTO chief executive, Ron Maxwell, said, “It is great to see so many seniors developing the skills they need to be able to keep in touch with family and friends, and retain their independence.”
The training is delivered through a partnership between the New South Wales Government and Telstra. The course is free of charge for eligible participants (participants must be over 60 years of age).
Program Dates: 15, 22, 29 March 2019 and 3, 10 May 2019
Session Times: 1.00pm to 4.00pm
Training Location: VERTO Bathurst, 227 Howick Street
For more information or to enrol in the course, contact VERTO on 1300 4 VERTO or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
VERTO highlights Kerri's story for International Women's Day 2019
On International Women’s Day for 2019, we thought it would be appropriate to highlight the story of Kerri, who is one of our VERTO clients. Her journey into work hasn’t always been easy but her strength and determination is inspiring to us all...
Life for forty-eight-year-old Kerri hasn't always been easy. Diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Airways disease, diabetes, depression and a spinal disorder, finding suitable work in her home town of Bathurst, NSW, has long proved a challenge.
In 2017, Kerri came to the VERTO team feeling disheartened about her chances of finding long-term employment. "I felt like there just wasn't a job out there for me, and it was affecting my whole life. I wanted to find work and be financially independent and set a good example for my teenage son," she said.
The VERTO team assessed the skills that Kerri would need to secure employment, and noticed that for Kerri, confidence was a key issue. Over several months, the VERTO team took her through mock interview training and confidence-building activities to help Kerri find her feet and feel confident in herself. "After the training I felt like I could go to an interview and do well," she said. "It gave me the confidence that I could speak up for myself and answer their questions."
In October 2017, Kerri secured an interview with BIG W, the first professional interview she had attended in a very long time. "It was a bit scary," she recalled. "I wasn't sure I would do well, but I kept thinking back to what I had learnt and reminded myself I could do it."
Almost eighteen months on, Kerri still wears the BIG W uniform with pride. She enjoys her job in customer service and has more confidence at work and in everyday life, where she says she now feels comfortable to voice her opinions in a professional and polite manner.
Employment is big contributor to a person's feelings of self-worth, and this is no different in Kerri's case. Now living independently, and no longer receiving income support payments, Kerri says that having a job and her own income has made her feel like she can participate in and enjoy life more fully. "It gave my life purpose, and means I have less stress when it comes to the bills."
Kerri says that when you have been unemployed for a long time, it can be hard to know where to turn or how to ask for help. She says if she could give any advice to other unemployed people who may be struggling to find work, she would tell them to believe in themselves. "Don't doubt yourself, and never give up. It's okay to ask for help, and there are services, like VERTO, who can help you, not only with finding jobs, but having the confidence to go out and get them. Just believe in yourself."
To learn more about VERTO's programs to help you find the right employment opportunities, please click here.
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