Despite decades of experience, Mark Cribbs, now in his early 60s, encountered a barrier to employment he had never faced before. After relocating from Sydney to Albury in November 2025, Mark hoped for a quieter pace of life, stronger community connection and the opportunity to continue working. What he did not expect was that it wouldn’t be his skills or willingness that were questioned when looking for work, but his age and confidence with technology.

That reality became evident early in Mark’s job search. Anu Pal, Mark’s Employment Consultant at CVGT Employment, who supports him through the Workforce Australia program, recalls an experience that highlighted some of the challenges mature-aged job seekers can encounter.

“When Mark applied for a warehousing role, they asked if he could use an iPad to locate products and enter information, as it was part of the day‑to‑day work. Mark was honest and said he couldn’t do that yet, but that he was willing to learn if shown. The supervisor explained they were looking for someone who already knew how to use technology.”

For Mark, it was a moment that underscored how quickly willingness to learn can be overshadowed by expectations for people later in their working lives.

For Anu, it reflected a broader issue she sees repeatedly in her work.

A reality familiar to many mature‑aged job seekers

“Too often, mature- aged job seekers are judged on what they don’t yet know, instead of the value they already bring,” she said.

Drawing on her experience supporting job seekers across all stages of life, Anu believes the way employers assess capability needs to shift.

“Technology skills can be taught,” she said. “What can’t be taught so easily is reliability, work ethic and a mature approach to work which are qualities mature-aged job seekers already bring.”

In her view, age should never be mistaken for inability.

We need to reframe how we assess mature-aged job seekers. Experience is an asset, not a limitation.
Anu Pal
CVGT Employment Consultant

An employer who saw beyond assumptions

Mark’s persistence was finally rewarded when he secured work as a forklift driver in February 2026 through Complete Recruitment Solutions. This time, he was met by an employer who didn’t judge him by the year he was born or the outdated technology he used. Instead, they took the time to ask questions, listen, provide guidance and offer support.

“They respect me,” Mark said with a smile.

“If I don’t know something, they explain it. They never belittle me. From the moment I walk in, to the moment I finish, I feel welcomed and appreciated.”

The difference was immediate and profound. Mark found himself in a workplace where his contribution was genuinely valued, where colleagues supported one another and stepped in when someone needed help, and where patience, respect and encouragement shaped the culture. It was an environment that recognised his experience, reliability and work ethic- qualities earned over a lifetime, not learned overnight.

For Mark, it wasn’t just about being employed again. It was about being treated with dignity, trusted to do the job, and accepted as part of a team.

It was the moment he finally felt seen.

Why Mark’s story matters

Mark’s story is not unique. Across Australia, mature-aged job seekers continue to face barriers that have little to do with their ability or willingness to work. Ageism in employment is often subtle with quiet assumptions about adaptability, technology or longevity. But its impact can be profound, steadily eroding confidence and closing doors before skills are even considered.

What Mark’s journey makes clear is that the issue was never his capability. It was access to opportunity, belief and support.

For Mark, having people who understood his value and were prepared to stand beside him made all the difference.

CVGT Albury staff have been my encouragement.
Mark Cribbs
CVGT Employment Participant

Employment services like CVGT Employment play a vital role in challenging age‑based assumptions by advocating for job seekers, funding upskilling, and supporting people to build confidence with new systems and technologies. Skills like digital literacy can be taught. Confidence can be rebuilt. Experience, reliability and work ethic, which are earned over a lifetime, should never be discounted.

For Mark, being reminded of his worth and backed to keep trying changed the trajectory of his working life. It gave him confidence when doubt crept in and reassurance that his experience still mattered.

His story is a powerful message to anyone navigating employment later in life: your contribution is still relevant, your willingness to learn still valuable, and your next chapter still possible. With the right support, age does not have to be a barrier, it can be one of your greatest strengths.