CQU's international campus partner C Management Services has been identified as an employer of choice by PLUS40, the new national employment, education and advocacy organisation.

PLUS40 promotes the active employment and career development of the over-40 age group to all levels of industry throughout Australia.

This initiative was launched under the banner of ‘40 Jobs in 40 Weeks’.

The Campus Director of CQU Sydney International Campus, Barbara Abou-Lehaf, was invited to speak alongside the Minister for Workforce Participation, Dr Sharman Stone, and Jackie Kelly, Federal Member for Western Sydney, at a forum in Penrith on June 8.

Other employer representatives included ACCOR, the largest hotel group in the Southern Hemisphere, and a local employer ASP Plastics.

At the end of the forum, a panel, including Ms Abou-Lehaf, fielded questions from participants.

'40 Jobs in 40 Weeks' is for workers over 40. The program aims to find ways to bring skilled older workers (struggling to get back to work and stay in the workforce longer) together with employers who are looking for those skills.

The Director of PLUS40, Paul Dickinson, praised CQU Sydney International Campus management for taking the lead in the academic community and placing vacancies with his organisation.

He noted that the campus has recognized the benefits mature age workers bring to the workplace; commitment, stability, dedication, maturity and skills that add value.

Ms Abou-Lehaf spoke of the dynamic working environment created by the younger and older workers and how their daily interaction adds value, not only to themselves but also the students.

“People are employed for the skills and experience they bring to the role and how they will interact with other staff and students and age is not a consideration when employing or promoting staff”.

The campus director demonstrated this by advising the audience that 54% of all staff across all CQU international campuses are over 40 years of age and 146 campus employees are over 60 years of age.

To date, 3 PLUS40 applicants have been employed as casual enrolment staff. One is a chartered accountant who brings many valuable skills to the enrolment process.

PLUS40 plans to roll the forum out, in conjunction with the Department of Workplace Relations and Chambers of Commerce, in all capital cities. Other CQU International campuses will be involved in these forums.

Photo: A mature relationship ... Barbara Abou-Lehaf from CQU Sydney and Jackie Kelly, Federal Member for Western Sydney, at a forum in Penrith on June 8.