Astro Alloys (Aust) Pty Ltd is an Australian owned and operated company specialising in quality welding, maintenance, eco-tech and green products. Since its founding in 1977, Astro Alloys (Aust) Pty Ltd, located in Hervey Bay, has been a leader in the welding and maintenance industries. Astro Alloys (Aust) Pty Ltd is well-known and respected Australia wide, with a reputation built on its dedication to quality customer service.
The company has mature age friendly practices and approximately three quarters of its current work force are mature aged workers. CEO Ken More said "the benefits we have seen from having a predominantly mature age workforce include loyalty & commitment, adaptability, less absenteeism, mentoring, willingness to learn and quality work, as well as providing a strong customer focus".
Over the past few years, Astro Alloys (Aust) Pty Ltd has gained a great deal of respect as a result of its mature aged workforce, including: 2003 Fraser Coast Business Awards Other Services Category Winner, 2003 Fraser Coast Business Awards Ergon Energy Overall Winner, 2004 Australian Institute of Management Management Excellence Awards Regional Finalist, 2004 Fraser Coast Business Awards Other Services Category Winner, 2005 Fraser Coast Business Awards Other Services Category Winner.
Astro Alloys have a number of strategies to attract and retain mature age employees.
- Training and development. Encouraging mature aged employees to keep skills and knowledge up to date. They provide all employees with the same opportunities for ongoing training and development.
- Flexible working arrangements. They have a special provision in their AWA for employees to bank extra hours for use in a variety of ways. They have flexible employment options to suit their workforce; including flexible working hours, flexible leave arrangements, as well as casual and ongoing employment provisions.
- Alternative job opportunities. Astro Alloys encourages their mature age employees to remain in employment. Training and supervisory roles enable mature age employees to pass on their knowledge and skills to other staff.
Astro Alloys CEO Ken Hore recognises the value
mature age workers bring to his business.