Not all work experience is found on the job —
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| How Jobs and Skills Centres can help |
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Located across Perth and regional WA, Jobs and Skills Centres offer a range of specialist services and support for employers and businesses — all 100% free. Because they're connected with the local community, and work with employers from a range of industries, JSCs understand your needs. They have great connections with people who have life experience to offer and are motivated to find employment.
Whether you're looking for an apprentice or trainee, or a new employee, the team at your local Jobs and Skills Centre can help you to find the right person with the right life experience for your business.
Call your local JSC on 13 64 64, or follow the link to find your nearest centre and drop in for a chat about how we can help.
Life experience: People with disability
In this short video, business owners and employers talk about their experiences employing people with lived experience of disability.
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"Hiring an individual with a disability, I have found very refreshing. We have candidates who come to us who are work ready. They are very dedicated and they are absolutely keen to work. So there isn’t an issue with regards to reliability. I would recommend it to any organisation. " |
They talk about qualities such as a positive attitude and willingness to learn, commitment and excitement for the job, and reliability.
Financial incentives to build your workforce
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We understand that some new employees may require assistance or training, or time to gain the skills and knowledge needed for your business. Some may also require specialist support or changes to the physical work space, to accommodate their needs. As an employer, you may be eligible for Commonwealth Government financial incentives and/or support to assist with any costs associated with these things. Browse our page of information about financial support, incentives and subsidies for employers here You can also contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64 to find out more about financial incentives and support. |
Life experience
Most people who haven't been in paid employment or have taken a break from the workforce have been busy gaining life experience, and building a whole suite of skills and knowledge. And in many cases, their skills and knowledge are directly transferrable and useful in the workplace. Here's just a few examples.
| Life experience | Transferrable skills and knowledge |
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| Being a parent | Communication skills; listening; negotiation and conflict resolution; problem solving; creative thinking; first aid; time management; planning and organising; leadership; teamwork |
| Being on committees | Teamwork; listening skills; verbal communication skills; business documents and practices; budgeting and financial management; negotiation and conflict resolution; decision making; problem solving; time management; planning and organising; leadership |
| Community involvement | Teamwork; listening skills; verbal communication skills; business documents and practices; negotiation and conflict resolution; decision making; problem solving; time management; planning and organising; leadership |
| Computing, gaming | Digital literacy; technical skills; decision making; problem solving; quick thinking; self-learner |
| Home cook | Food preparation and safety; nutrition; kitchen and cooking skills; planning and organising; time management; budget management |
| Managing a household | Budgeting and financial management; planning and organising; time management; problem solving and decision making; creative thinking |
| Renovating, home maintenance | Planning and organising, knowledge of tools and equipment; creative thinking; problem solving; budget management; time management; negotiation and communication skills |
| Sports and leisure activities | Teamwork; leadership; communication skills; listening; negotiation and conflict resolution; physical flexibility; decision making; problem solving; time management; planning and organising |
| Travelling | Planning and organising; languages; communication skills; time management; resilience; negotiation and conflict resolution; decision making; problem solving |
| Volunteering | Depending on the type of volunteering, this could be a long list — think about teamwork; communication skills; time management; decision making; negotiation and problem solving; business documents; business practices; customer service and leadership |
Life experience: Women returning to work
Women returning to work have life experience that translates directly to a range of skills and knowledge that will benefit your business. In this short video, you'll hear from a business expert who believes more employers should look at mature age workers — particularly women — returning to the workforce, for the life experience they offer.
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“We need to change the mindset of the employer. Employers need to start looking for wisdom and experience and realise the benefits of having someone who is 45 plus on the payroll who can mentor the younger generation.” |
She also offers some insights to help make your business more flexible, to attract top talent.
Life experience — What people can offer
A key part of building a skilled workforce requires you, as an employer, to broaden your thinking about what you look for in new employees. Of course skills and knowledge are important, but they can be learnt.
Having varied skills and life experience in your workforce brings in new perspectives — different ways of thinking, and unique life experiences — leading to innovation and improvements in the way you do things. We encourage you to consider the ways that people with life experience can benefit your business. Everyone has something to offer, and everyone deserves a place in the workforce.
| Women returning to the workforce |
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| Many women take time out of the workforce to raise a family. But that doesn't mean they haven't been working, or developing skills and knowledge. These women are champion multi-taskers, and have strong communication skills. They are also great at time management, and planning and organising, and are used to adapting to change and navigating challenging situations. |
| Mature aged workers |
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| Having a mix of ages in your workforce brings in different perspectives. Older workers offer the maturity that comes with a lifetime of experience, and a real interest in learning new things. Often they have a whole career behind them, and even if their previous work isn't an exact match for your business they will have many skills and professional experience that may be directly transferrable to your requirements. |
| Lived experience with disability |
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| Many employers around Australia confirm that people who have lived experience with disability are able to contribute to productivity and performance equally with other members of their workforce. People with disability are often resilient and adaptable to change, and are innovative thinkers when it comes to problem solving and overcoming barriers. |
| Young starting out |
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| For many young people, all it takes is an opportunity to get started. Some many not have years of skills and knowledge from previous work, but they bring life experience and fresh new perspectives to the workforce. Their knowledge of the youth market can open up new opportunities for your business, and their willingness to learn means they will grow with experience. |
| Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander |
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Increased representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the workforce contributes directly to achieving a more culturally diverse workplace and better work environment for everyone. Increasing diversity through Aboriginal employment can mutually benefit both Aboriginal people and employers, improve cultural awareness for all staff, and offer knowledge to inspire creativity and drive innovation. |
| Culturally and Linguistically Diverse |
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| People from culturally diverse backgrounds can help your business to understand and communicate with multicultural clients and other organisations, and give better customer service. They offer life experience and different perspectives that can make a valuable contribution to your workforce, and an openness to learning new things. |
Life experience: Mature age workers
As one of the world's leading hospitality organisations employing over 230,000 people in more than 5,000 hotels in 100 countries, the Accor Group knows the value of life experience. They specifically target mature age workers for the benefits they bring to the workplace.
In this short video you'll hear from managers, employers and government leaders talking about their experiences with mature age workers.
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"They're a very able, ready and willing part of our community and we get far greater benefits from a mature age worker than often we expect." "They are more reliable, they take less sick leave, they're more loyal, and they often help in mentoring younger people." |
How we can help
If you would like some support or assistance to find the right employee, our Jobs and Skills Centres can help. Specialist advisors are available at JSCs across Western Australia, including through Perth and regional WA; and offer free advice, information and support for employers. Whether you're looking to recruit new employees or would like to know more about accessing financial incentives and support, call your local JSC or follow the link below to find your local centre and drop in for a chat.