I agree Gordiemac. The country is so short of tradesmen and it is still hard for young ones to get an apprenticeship. My grandson is hoping to finish school this year and has taken a special course to prepare him for a plumbing apprenticeship. I just hope he is successful.

Yes, there is so much experience out there with the "oldies". It seems we are on the scrap heap when we reach 50.

As for our wonderful Prime Minister. You must understand he hasn't time for his constituents. He is too busy bowing and scraping to overseas countries and concentrating on making more money with the emissions tax. We are all going to get slugged with extra taxes in the future.

In my opinion electing Krudd is the biggest mistake our voters have made.

"Better the devil you know................")

The reason why trades people don't like putting on apprent' these days as it costs them so much to do so--what with all the insurances and etc etc--and many just take time off--and after 6 months or so leave--and they being smaller companies end up loosing heaps and can't affors to do so. So many young ones these days will not stick with it. They spoil it for the ones that are fair dinkum.. A friend that is in the plumbling business has been caught so many times and vows he will not do it again as he just can't afford to.

Hi Gordiemac - You are so right, the skills and talent amongst the 60+ generation is enormous and I for one would be willing to share my skills on a part time basis, and earn enough to supplement the pension. I could not afford however to lose any of my pension, or the so called benefits that come with it. As the skills shortage is so desperate, it would surely be worthwhile for the Government to look at the enormous pool of expertise amongst seniors and utilise these skills. The number of Senior volunteers in this country are testament to the fact that we are not ready for the scrap heap. We are a natural resource being ignored and more importantly, wasted. .Firstly however, the Government would need to recognise that we exist, something they seem to have a problem with.

I have only seen ads. for Grey army people who are seniors apparently doing work for people and paid of course.

It seems people are screened so no people employed for a specific job not qualified to do that job so maybe if we used Grey Army when we needed work done that would help.

Phyl.

I think Gordiemac you will find job applicants are regarded as too old from around 40, and its why I was self employed for the majority of my working life. Although when things went quiet I applied for casual work as a fill-in. Periodically industry /commerce groups, unions and pollies pay lip service about hiring older employees but its only spin and rarely done.



I had 3 prospective employers in 2006 state "they were looking for someone younger". On all 3 occasions I lodged a complaint with the Equal Opportunity Commission (EOC). Despite their protests of innocence (and one was a smaller training company) my allegations were proven and I gladly relieved them of a lot of money. Anyone that has been discriminated against should take matters to the EOC. If you are sure of the facts, dates and details of who said what and state your case accordingly you will win, even though its your word against theirs.



I was an apprentice donkeys years ago but its vastly different today. The government have made apprenticeships extremely confusing (when dont they confuse the issue?) and over-regulated in trying to set up a scheme where employers could have apprentices on a casual basis, especially in the boom/bust building industry. You're right, employers pay through the nose for the 'privilege'.



Phyl I worked as a home maintenance contractor for the Grey Army some years ago and perhaps things might have changed, but they are an agency that has predominately older contractors who must pay a kick-back (or a percentage of the job costs) to the Grey Army. People get fooled by thinking because they are older they charge cheaper than the going rate. They very well may but when you add in the kick-back (or percentage) its not all that much different.



In Adelaide we have an organisation called DOME -- Don't Overlook Mature Expertise. They mean well in acting as a free agency for us older folk looking for work. However they have people aged FROM 35yrs on their books which yet again puts us at a disadvantage.

Phyll - I went through the Grey Army to have my lawns mowed - it cost an absolute fortune - far dearer than any-one else. Of course I gave them the flick and got a far cheaper young person to do it. Maybe older people have a far greater idea of their worth?

Rusty 123 - like you, I would be willing to share my knowledge, if only the Federal Government wouldn't take 40 cents of every dollar I earned - then the State Government 25%, (as rent). I know I can contribute, but it seems as if it isn't worth it.