Johannes Kopf: 'Particularly tough' – AMS chief delivers stark statement on unemployment in Austria

You know how it is: when Johannes Kopf speaks, all of Austria listens. The head of the AMS (Public Employment Service) has once again been talking straight in recent weeks. The situation on the job market is 'particularly tough', especially for one group that is often overlooked: the over-50s. And specifically those who were in management positions, or could still be. It's not just about numbers; it's about a lifetime of achievement and the feeling of suddenly no longer being needed. Kopf doesn't just trot out clichés; he gets straight to the point.

The over-50s trap: When experience suddenly counts – but the wrong way

What the AMS chief is highlighting is something anyone who has ever been job-hunting for a while will recognise: companies are desperately looking for people, but if a CV looks 'too experienced', things get difficult. In an interview, Kopf made it clear that as a society, we need to come up with some solutions. Demographics are working against us – the baby boomers are retiring, but younger workers aren't coming through one-for-one to replace them. At the same time, thousands of qualified jobseekers over 50 are sitting at home and could actually start work tomorrow. This isn't just economic nonsense; it's a social tinderbox. That's why Kopf is calling for more retraining and, above all, a change of mindset in HR departments.

Salome, dinosaur feathers, and playing the long game

It somehow brings to mind an old image: Salome with the head of John the Baptist. It sounds brutal, but it sometimes fits what's happening in the job market. People get axed overnight, just for reaching a certain age. Yet this is precisely when the kind of experience that only decades in a profession can bring is needed. It's a bit like dinosaur feathers: dinosaurs didn't just have them for flying, but for insulation and display. Older workers bring so much to the table – networks, composure, foresight. But many companies just fixate on the date of birth and miss the potential. Actually, the phrase 'Chin up, Johannes!' would be the perfect motto for everyone currently stuck in the application jungle. Don't let it get you down, sell your experience as a plus point – even if it's sometimes a slog.

In his recent appearances, Johannes Kopf has been particularly emphatic about a few clear points:

• Unemployment among the over-50s is structural, not cyclical.
• Companies need to rethink their approach: age isn't a deficit, it's often a factor for stability.
• The AMS wants to counter this with special programmes – but the authority can't handle it alone.
• Lifelong learning must become as natural for older employees as it is for those just starting their careers.

One thing's for sure: the man doesn't have an easy job. He has to juggle budget constraints, political directives, and people's real-life worries. But that's precisely why it's refreshing when someone like Kopf doesn't beat around the bush, but instead spells out the direction of travel. The message has been sent – now it's over to others to act. And us? We'll keep our chins up, no matter our age. Because one thing this debate about dinosaur feathers also shows is this: sometimes you have to reinvent yourself to survive. But the foundation – your experience, your knowledge – that remains.