Applications now open for the Age-Friendly Illawarra Business Award

Age-friendly businesses can apply by 29 July to have their work recognised by the Illawarra Business Chamber. For a third year, IRT Group's IRT Foundation is supporting the 2016 IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards -  Excellence in Age-Friendly Business Award.

This award will recognise businesses who build age-friendly capacity in our community and will have:

• Implemented strategies to support older consumers (provide services that are respectful, relevant and appropriate for older customers), and/or
• implemented strategies to recruit and retain older workers, and
• implemented innovative strategies to support an age-friendly community.

While attending the launch, IRT Foundation Manager Toby Dawson said that the Foundation is supporting the award to acknowledge the work being done by local businesses to support an ageing population in the Illawarra.

"The award aims to recognise Illawarra businesses that are making changes in the way they do business or the products and services they offer to ensure that older members of our community are included and catered for," Mr Dawson said.

"We're also looking for businesses that are implementing strategies to recruit and retain valuable mature-age workers. We know that more and more people are willing and able to work into their 60s and 70s, but currently only 1 in 3 Australians over the age of 55 is taking part in the workforce. This award seeks to celebrate the businesses in the Illawarra that are providing those opportunities for our older workers."

The Excellence in Age-Friendly Business Award will be announced at the 22nd annual Illawarra Business Awards to be held on 21 October 2016 at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

To enter by 29 July go to: awards.illawarrabusiness.com.au

Click here to find out more about IRT Group's retirement villages.