\u201cThat figure has gone up probably at least 50%.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fraser said the tough economic climate was making it harder for older jobseekers, and while the same issues were also affecting young people looking for work, unemployment has different implications as people age.<\/p>\n
Ian Fraser says 7000 jobseekers over 50 need more opportunities because of economic challenges. Photo \/ 123rf<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s not forget the 50 and overs who are also struggling and they\u2019ve got to put food on the table… they\u2019ve got mortgages, their health costs are increasing… it really is hard for older job seekers to find work at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n
While New Zealand\u2019s ageing population<\/a> was contributing to the issue, Fraser said the economic environment was having a bigger impact.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re fitter, healthier, we\u2019re living longer. So we either want to work or we need to work.<\/p>\n \u201cThere are a lot more people in the older age brackets that are working now than there were 20 years ago. The number has gone up quite drastically, but there are still an awful lot out there that are really looking for work and need to work.\u201d<\/p>\n Fraser said misconceptions about older workers<\/a>, which were often untrue, regularly hindered their ability to get a job.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people say [older people] are not tech savvy, that comes up all the time… whilst it might be fair to say that some people struggle, a lot don\u2019t struggle.\u201d<\/p>\n As for those who were struggling to keep up with changes in the workforce, Fraser said there were easy fixes.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you get an opportunity to do some retraining, take that opportunity. Don\u2019t ever ignore it. And even if you\u2019re not working, there are courses out there that are generally free and if you see one of those and you might be lacking in a certain skill do take advantage of that.\u201d<\/p>\n