ACS calls on tech industry to overcome ageism
Older workers are a valuable resource, states IT professional body
- Older workers under-represented in IT sector
- Casting a wider workforce net helps address labour shortages
- Diversity delivers value for the industry and the economy
- Experienced workers bring a wealth of knowledge to their employers
16 February 2022
ACS, the professional association for Australia’s technology sector, today called on employers to address ongoing ageism in the industry.
Ms Jo Stewart-Rattray, ACS Vice President for Community Boards, said “We must be anti-ageist. It does not matter where someone is in their career, they should not face discrimination because of their age, whether it be young, old or anywhere in between.”
The call comes after US court documents revealed executives at global technology giant IBM had described older workers as ‘dinobabies’ as part of a campaign to boost the proportion of millennials in the corporation’s workforce.
In Australia, technology industry ageism is rife. A 2021 survey of just under 2,000 Australians conducted by global payroll and HR firm, ADP, found more than a third of all IT workers in Australia have faced some form of discrimination, with unfair treatment over age topping the list.
“Diversity and inclusion are about more than gender,” continued Ms Stewart-Rattray. “Our sector needs to be doing more to tap into Australia’s diverse society by looking at workers regardless of age, background, or orientation.”
“With Australia’s chronic IT skills shortage, discrimination such as ageism also doesn’t make sense. Employers could be tapping an accessible and often highly experienced group to help address workforce gaps.”
Older workers are underrepresented in Australia’s technology workforce, according to ACS’ Digital Pulse report. In 2019, there were 92,103 ICT workers aged 55 to 64 years, representing 13% of the total technology workforce while the same age bracket represented 15.6% of Australia’s total professional workforce in the same year.
“As Digital Pulse showed last year, if the Australian ICT sector could achieve gender parity, we would boost employment by 5,000 new workers a year in the first 20 years which is an $11 billion opportunity for the Australian economy,” continued Ms Stewart-Rattray. “It’s not unreasonable to see we could realise similar gains through overcoming ageism.”
-ENDS-
Director of Corporate Affairs and Public Policy
ACS is the professional association for Australia's technology sector. ACS members work across business, education, government, and the community delivering the digital services essential to the nation’s prosperity and security.
ACS exists to create the environment and provide the opportunities for members and partners to succeed. ACS strives for technology professionals to be recognised as drivers of innovation in our society, relevant across all sectors, and to promote the formulation of effective policies on technology and related matters. Visit www.acs.org.au for more information.