Ipswich man too old to work

Mark Herbert is 59 and has been knocked back for jobs because of his age.

Sarah Keayes

HE’S as fit as a fiddle and has a keen desire to work, but at 59, it seems Mark Herbert is just too old for some employers.

Mr Herbert moved to Ipswich just before Christmas to be closer to family and started his job hunt in January.

Little did he realise the uphill battle he faced trying to find someone to give him a go.

Formerly of New South Wales, the Raceview resident put in the hard yards driving interstate trucks for close to 30 years, often putting in 55 hour weeks and clocking up between 5000 and 6000 kilometres on the roads.

He also had a stint in the ambulance service.

Mr Herbert said he had submitted close to 20 applications for a variety of positions in Ipswich. He remembered one of the times he was told he was too old to employ.

“She told me over the phone that they were looking for someone for long term employment,” Mr Herbert said.

“She said ‘you would only be here five to six years max’.”

Mr Herbert said if he knew how hard it would be to find a job he would never have moved to the city.

“I will do lawn mowing or anything,” he said.

“I have been knocked back on so many jobs because of my age, it’s not funny.

“I have a heavy vehicle licence. Is there anyone out there who is willing to give me a go?

“I don’t want to go on the dole. I am not ready for the scrap heap yet.”

Recruitment Queensland managing director Alison McGrath said the value older employees brought to the job shouldn’t be overlooked.

“They have life skills and an emotional intelligence younger people don’t often have,” Ms McGrath said.

Her findings were backed by a 2009 study by Queensland University of Technology researcher Megan Tones, who found mature-age workers were just as keen as their younger colleagues to learn and develop their skills in the workplace, but were often stymied by negative stereotypes of older people.