Work opportunities for over-40s get brighter

By ASHLEY CAMPBELL

Finding jobs for mature workers is proving to be a growth area.

After going from nowhere to 10 franchises nationwide in just over four years, the Grey Skills agency is expanding.

Grey Skills Home Services began in Christchurch in 1998 as an agency for skilled tradesmen and women, all aged over 40.

Two-and-a-half years ago Grey Skills Employment - a recruitment agency for the over-40s - began in Christchurch, and it's now about to go national.

The recruitment agency was a natural progression from Grey Skills Home Services, says director Nigel Humphries. And he describes the response to the service both from job seekers and employers as "incredible".

The agency has about 1000 job seekers on its books and has placed about 450 people in work, ranging from casual to fulltime and "all areas from process manufacturing and reception to CEOs".

It has also generated considerable repeat business from employers, Humphries says.

Grey Skills Employment franchises are now being offered in major centres, Humphries says.

Grey Skills Home Services has also expanded its range of service providers, adding accountants, lawyers, mortgage brokers and other professionals to its books.

"People were ringing us, asking for services we weren't able to provide, and we thought 'Why not?"' says Humphries. The expansion was so successful that all franchisees have followed suit.

Humphries says one reason for Grey Skills' success is that many home owners know mature workers often face discrimination when job hunting and want to redress that.

Along with employers using the recruitment agency, they also value mature workers' reliability and experience.

Humphries says both businesses are now expanding, and the aim is to establish 30 homes services franchises and about 10 employment franchises throughout the country.