Announcing the APSCo Age Inclusive Recruiter program

This article was originally published on ageinc.au and is shared with their permission​

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At a time when experience is more vital than ever, too many skilled candidates are being overlooked, not for lack of ability, but because of age. That’s why, in conjunction with APSCo Australia, we’re proud to launch the APSCo Age Inclusive Recruiter program, a practical initiative designed to help recruiters and hiring managers attract, assess, and advocate for talent at every stage of life.

This initiative reflects APSCo’s commitment to ensuring every candidate, regardless of their age, gets a fair opportunity to continue to contribute and the program is being championed by its first three foundation members, Aquent, Sirius and Talent Quarter.

Despite shifting demographics and longer working lives, age bias remains one of the most persistent, and least addressed, forms of workplace discrimination. In recruitment, that shows up in subtle but damaging ways.

The latest research from AHRI shows that:

• 1 in 4 HR professionals considers 50 too old for a new hire

• Many job ads still include age-coded language like “digital native” or “young and dynamic”

• Older candidates are twice as likely to face discrimination during the recruitment process

• 53% of all jobseekers have been discriminated against solely based on their age

The APSCo Age Inclusive Recruiter program is designed to ensure that each agency’s consultants, and the clients they recruit for, are actively contributing to a more equitable workforce. The program, as well as raising awareness of the issue of ageism amongst APSCo members, and the wider recruitment industry, includes:

• Age bias training for senior leaders, consultants and talent acquisition teams

• Client education resources to support inclusive hiring conversations

• Approval to use the APSCo/AgeInc Age Inclusive Endorsed Recruiter badge

• Regular updates on best practice, case studies and examples of how to employ and retain more 50+ workers

• Invitations to events to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaborative working

Becoming an APSCo Age Inclusive Recruiter offers recruiters a range of advantages that go beyond simply fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, including:

• Recognition and credibility

• Access to resources and support

• Competitive advantage in recruitment and retention

• Networking and collaboration

• Demonstrated commitment to corporate social responsibility

To find out more or to partner with APSCo and AgeInc on age inclusive hiring, contact Richard Spencer on richard@ageinc.au or visit https://ageinc.au/apsco-endorsement

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