Kevin Andrews, the former Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, last year noted that ‘we [Australia] have an aging workforce but [we need to] create an ageless workforce, where workers are valued - and employed – for their skills, not judged or penalised because of their date of birth’. He went on to say that ‘Australia’s demographic changes mean that businesses which fail to recognise and employ mature-age Australians will not survive’.

The pressure to find capable skilled workers, combined with the drop in young people entering the labour market, should encourage employers to look at ways of recruiting and retaining older workers. However, a recent survey of 7500 companies found that less than one in three employers is seeking to attract mature aged workers.

Mature age workers generally require work flexibility. They enjoy roles that retain their status and value. They also need appropriate training in information management and career change. In return mature age workers can bring experience, wisdom and leadership into workplaces.

The deciding factor, in my experience, is the workers themselves. Some people mature as they age - they ripen on the vine. Other people wither. They seem to lose life and juice. The workers in my company aged 55+ are all rich, full, interesting people. They are highly self aware and self managing. They encourage and inspire their younger colleagues. They keep themselves fit and healthy, and seem to have boundless energy. They love their work. These people are precious employees.

Unfortunately, I know many other older people who seem to have gathered bitterness and resentment as they have aged. Life hasn't treated them as they think it should have. These people are almost poisonous as employees - they infect the workplace. So the trick isn't just employing older people; it is to have the wisdom to employ those mature workers who add their wisdom, experience, skill and mentorship to a business.

For us as individuals, the key is to be always growing and learning, and to use every experience as an opportunity to be more.

You might have heard the story of the manager who had two employees, both of whom had worked with him for 20 years. One he saw as someone with 20 years' experience. The other he saw as someone with one year's experience 20 times.