America is witnessing a dramatic growth in the number of citizens who are 55 or older, a trend that will continue well into the 21st century. As our population continues to age, older Americans will play an increasingly important role in maintaining our economy and America’s leadership in the world marketplace.
First celebrated in the Eisenhower Administration, and celebrated nearly every year since that time, National Employ Older Workers Week activities focus on recognizing the importance of the participation of older workers in the labor force. This is an important opportunity for elected officials, employers, and the general public to highlight the vital role of older workers in the current labor force and the continuing importance of the participation of older workers in meeting the employment needs of our 21st century economy.
By 2008, 40 percent of the labor force will be age 45 or older, and 8 million more Americans age 55 or older will be in the labor force than there were in 1998. This population of mature workers includes individuals who are retiring at young ages and want second careers, individuals who want to work beyond age 65, and those individuals that want some source of income, but not necessarily a full time job.
National Employ Older Workers Week provides an opportunity to increase awareness and focus on development of innovative strategies for tapping into this underutilized labor pool that can help address the challenge posed by potential worker shortages.
National Employ Older Workers Week showcases the efforts of the Department of Labor’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) of over 40 years in serving the job training and placement needs of people with limited financial resources who are age 55 or older. Since its inception under the Economic Opportunity Act, this program has helped over one million people enter the job market each year by providing workforce services to older Americans and exploring ways for older workers to respond to the rapidly changing skills demands of business.
The Committee on Economic Development cites surveys indicating that employers rate older workers high on factors such as judgment, commitment to quality, attendance and punctuality. These qualities, coupled with their “old fashioned employer loyalty,” make older workers an attractive resource for employers seeking workers and possibly mentors for younger workers
Americans aged 55 or older are a dedicated and experienced core of our workforce. Their contributions to the nation as paid workers and volunteers in both the private and public sectors are immeasurable.
Following is a sample listing of SCSEP National Employ Older Workers Week events.
|
DATE |
SPONSORS |
EVENT |
CONTACT |
9/8/06 |
SER Metro – Detroit
Detroit Workforce Network
Detroit, MI |
Recognition of SCSEP participants, host agencies and employers |
Leo Quirino
972.830.6365 |
9/20/06 |
Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Security
St. Paul, MN |
Presented the Governor’s proclamation at State Capitol
Hosted a luncheon with presentations to recognize SCSEP honorees with their family members and friends, local businesses, host agencies, employers and State and National Grantees. |
Taryn Galehdari
taryn.galehdari
@state.mn.us |
9/20/06 |
Mature Workers Alliance:
Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council
Seattle Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens
NAPCA
AARP
Seattle, WA |
Hire Experience: Job and Resource Fair (Targeting Workers 50+) |
Lori Mina
206.615.1753
lori.mina
@seattle.gov |
9/21/06 |
Office of Elder Services
State Bureau of Employment Services Older Worker Committee of the Maine Jobs Council
National ABLE SCSEP
State of Maine |
Blaine House Conference on Aging:
“Silver Collar Awards” presented to ten Maine businesses deemed Senior Friendly.
Addressed senior employment issues facing seniors in Maine in addition to housing, transportation, care-giving, elder abuse, and healthy aging. |
Jim McGrath(SCSEP)
james.mcgrath
@maine.gov
Dan Muth(SCSEP)
dmuth
@nationalable.org
Mary Fran Gamage(Labor)
maryfrances.r.
gamage
@maine.gov
|
9/21/06 |
Washington County One-Stop Center
Woodbury, MN |
Reception for SCSEP Participants and SCSEP Host Sites,
Governor’s Proclamation presented.
Speakers:
Robert Crawford, Director
Deb Reckner, SCSEP Program Coordinator
Taryn Galehdari, DEED |
Carol Turenne
651.275.8687
Deb Reckner 651.275.8683 |
9/22/06 |
Austin, TX |
Governor’s proclamation |
Beverly Donoghue
512.936.2146 |
9/24-29/06 |
Office of Elderly Affairs
Local Councils on Aging
Louisiana |
Recognition ceremonies held across the state.
A plaque from the Office of Elderly Affairs & Governor of Louisiana presented to each “Legacy of Achievement” winner.
Older workers nominated by
employers and chosen by a selection committee locally. |
Rosemary Davis
rkdavis
@goea.state.la.us |
9/25/06 |
Easter Seals Achievement Center (Opelika, AL)
Easter Seals Central Alabama
(Montgomery)
Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast
Mobile, AL |
National Employ the Older Worker Week Proclamation Signing |
Terry Parham
terrparh
@achievement
-center.org
Frankie Thomas
fthomas
@easter
sealsca.org
Debbie Edmonds
Debbie
@gesgc.org |
9/25/06 |
Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities
Delaware |
Recognition of distinguished participants and employers
Thanks to Host Training Sites
Read Governor’s Proclamation |
William Abernathy
302.255.9361
william.abernathy
@state.de.us |
9/25/06 |
Local One-Stop partners:
Experience Works
Operation Able
Employment Security
WIA
WCIAAA
Quincy, IL |
Older Worker Conference |
Lana Clark
lclark
@wciaging
network.org |
9/26/06 |
Hobbs Department of Labor (DOL)
Hobbs, New Mexico |
Presented the Governor’s proclamation; Provided employment and training info., and refreshments |
Richard Hunt
richard.hunt
@state.nm.us
Paris Thomas
paris.thomas
@state.nm.us |
9/27/06 |
Easter Seals
Chicago, IL |
Easter Seals national headquarters celebration honoring older workers |
Carol Salter
csalter
@easter
seals.com |
9/27/06
|
CT State Unit on Aging
Hartford, CT |
14th Annual Employer Recognition Breakfast
Honored employers and the CT Outstanding Older Worker
Collaboration: CT DSS/Aging Services Div., The American Legion, CT DOL, AARP-CT, Experience Works, Commission on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, SCSEP Host Agencies, SCSEP Participants, and National and State SCSEP Providers |
Dee Ana White
860.424.5293
dee.white
@ct.gov |
9/27/06 |
Albuquerque DOL
Albuquerque, NM |
Presented the Governor’s proclamation; speakers from NM Aging and Long-Term Services Department-Senior Employment Program, AARP, NM DOL, NICOA, Goodwill Industries; and provided training and employment information, and refreshments for older workers. |
Marvin Hopkins
marvin.hopkins
@state.nm.us |
9/27/06 |
Las Cruces DOL
Las Cruces, NM |
Presented the Governor’s proclamation; speaker’s from NM Aging and Long-Term Services Department, NMDOL - Vets, DVR, RSVP, with refreshments and resource information for Seniors. |
Richard Wagner
Diana Betts
Eduvina Padilla
richard.wagner
@state.nm.us |
9/28/06 |
Roswell DOL
Roswell, NM |
Presented the Governor’s and Mayor’s
proclamations for a celebration of
older workers to Seniors, community
members, local businesses, and
representatives from local radio and
newspapers; resource information,
refreshments and entertainment was
enjoyed by all. |
Janene Haldeman
feona.haldeman
@state.nm.us |
9/28/06 |
Maryland Department of Aging
Frostburg Senior Center
Frostburg, MD |
“2006 Employer of the Year Awards”
Luncheon – recognition of local
employers who actively seek and
employ older workers. |
Karen Curran Fields
Program Manager
410.767.1276 |
9/28/06 |
Florida Department of Elder Affairs
Tallahassee Senior Center
Tallahassee, FL |
Annual Older Workers Week
Celebration
Guest speaker – representative from
CVS/Pharmacy
Testimonials from sub-grantees,
participants, host agencies and
employers
Governor’s proclamation read by State
Representative Marti Coley |
JoAnn Williams
850.414.2065 |
9/29/06 |
West Central IL Area Agency on Aging
Quincy, IL |
NEOWW Awards Luncheon |
Lana Clark
lclark
@wciaging
network.org |
9/29/06 |
Santa Fe’s Comprehensive One-Stop Career Center
Santa Fe, NM |
“Our Living Treasures/Tesoros
Vigorosos” Presented the Governor’s/NM Speaker of the House/Mayor’s
proclamations; info. booths from S.F.
One-Stop Center, NM Aging and
Long-Term Services Department-SEP,
NM. DOL, Goodwill Indust., D.V.R.,
S.F. Senior Services, etc.; with
resource information for Seniors and
their families and friends – live
music/food/door prizes/health
screening, and a computer lab. |
Louise Williams
lwilliams
@ones
topnnm.org |
9/29/06 |
Ruidoso/Alamogordo DOL
Alamogordo, NM |
Presented the Governor’s proclamation at the open house; provided labor market, training and employment information to seniors and the general community; shared food/giveaways/flowers donated by local businesses. |
Lupe Martinez
lupe.martinez
@state.nm.us |
9/29/06 |
Carlsbad, NM |
Presented the Governor’s proclamation; outreach to older workers and businesses in the community with an event that provided them with program information and refreshments. |
Mildred Henderson
mildred.henderson
@state.nm.us
|
9/29/06 |
Farmington One-Stop Career Center
Farmington, NM |
Presented the Governor’s proclamation; hosted a luncheon to honor SCSEP and local businesses’ older workers; senior centers and the community joined to share donated food and door prizes. |
Janice Hammond
jhammond
@onestopnnm.org
|
9/29/06 |
Denver, CO |
Banquet |
Audrey Krebs
303.866.2846 |
10/2/06 |
Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast
Mobile, AL |
Intergenerational Day “The Past to the Present” |
Debbie Edmonds
Debbie
@gesgc.org |
