National Employ Older Workers Week

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.

Supported by a message from the President of the United States, National Employ Older Workers Week showcases the efforts of the Department of Labor's Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) of nearly 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. Please contact your local service provider for information regarding other events and activities.

*DATE*	*SPONSORS*	*EVENT*	*CONTACT*
9/07/04	Kansas Department of Commerce	Proclamation Signing - Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius	Toni Wellshear (785)296-1865
9/15/04	Mature Workers Alliance Seattle Center	Career and Resource Fair: New Skills for New Jobs	Polly Chang (206) 624-1221
9/16/04	Southwest PA Area Agency on Aging	Greene County Commissioners Proclamation for NEOWW Outstanding Older Worker award.	Diana Broggi (724) 684-9000 ext.4432 dbroggi@swpa-aaa.org
9/16/04	Southwest PA Area Agency on Aging	Washington County Commissioners Proclamation for NEOWW	Diana Broggi (724) 684-9000 ext.4432 dbroggi@swpa-aaa.org
9/17/04	Maine Career Centers, Older Workers' Committee South Paris, ME	"Out-of-Work & Over 40 Program" Job Fair	Jim McGrath (207) 287-9200
9/20/04	Colorado Department of Human Services	Awards celebration and luncheon in honor of Colorado Older Workers	Audrey Krebs (303) 866-2846
9/20/04	South Central Alabama Development Commission AAA	Proclamation Signing Midway - Alabama Mayor James T. Graham	Mary Wedgeworth (334) 244-6903 x148
9/20/04	Senior Employment Center - Euclid, OH	Speakers Series: 10AM: Ohio Savings Bank, Carmen Hanson, Vice President Director of Human Resources, speaking about staying motivated in your job search, ways to conduct an active job search, and advertising positions available at Ohio Savings Bank 2 PM: Applied Industrial Technologies, Matt Liegl, Human Resources Specialist, speaking about best practices in job search and advertising positions available in Customer Service and Warehouse and Distribution	Rachel Stehle (216) 731-4664
9/21/04	Iowa Older Worker Employment Partnership	"Older Worker Profile for Iowa" - a Statewide meeting for employers and organizations	Phyllis Anderson (515) 242-3323
9/21/04	Milwaukee Mature Worker Committee	Golden Worker Awards Luncheon - "An Encore Performance - Still Working After All These Years"	Pat Delmenhorst (414)220-8636
9/21/04	Senior Employment Center - Euclid, OH	Speakers Series: 10 AM: KeyBank, Jennifer Schee, Recruiter, speaking about KeyBank's employment process, best practices in job search, and available opportunities at KeyBank 2 PM: JC Penney, Denise Tomazic, Human Resources Generalist, speaking about opportunities in Retail Sales	Rachel Stehle (216) 731-4664
9/21/04	Commonwealth of Massachusetts' partnership of state and local agencies Boston, MA	"Mature Workers: The Changing Face of America's Workforce" Awards Presentation - Welcome by The Honorable Mitt Romney, Governor of Massachusetts	Gene Williams (617) 727-7750
9/21/04	Alaska Commission on Aging Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development	Outstanding Older Worker Award Presentation	Jeff Kemp (907) 465-4872
9/21/04	Chester County Department of Aging (PA)	Annual SCSEP Participants Breakfast - County Commissioners Proclamation for NEOWW	Jean Talucci (610) 344-6009 jtalucci@chesco.org
9/22/04	Department of the Family Administration for Families and Children Puerto Rico	Director of Florida's Senior Center Proclamation - praising the values of older workers	Lizbeth Piar (787) 642-1838
9/22/04	Maine Career Centers, Older Workers' Committee Bangor, ME	"Out-of-Work & Over 40 Program" Seminars & Job Fair	Jim McGrath (207) 287-9200
9/22/04	Maine Career Centers, Older Workers' Committee Portland, ME	"Out-of-Work & Over 40 Program" Seminars & Job Fair	Jim McGrath (207) 287-9200
9/22/04	Maine Career Centers, Older Workers' Committee Presque Isle, ME	"Out-of-Work & Over 40 Program" Seminars & Job Fair	Jim McGrath (207) 287-9200
9/22/04	Senior Employment Center - Euclid, OH	Speakers Series: 9 AM: Tom Dankowski and Associates, Tom Dankowski, President, recruiting for Human Resource positions 11 AM: Home Instead, Carolyn Malone, Recruiter, speaking about opportunities in Home Care 2 PM: American Express, Kevin Bower, Regional Sales Manager, speaking about best practices in a job search, opportunities in Financial Advising at American Express, and a special workshop on managing finances during unemployment	Rachel Stehle (216) 731-4664
9/22/04	Northumberland County Area Agency on Aging (PA)	Recognition luncheon for oldest male and female worker. Certificates presented to employers nominated to Hall of Fame of Champions	Shirley Golden (570) 644-4539 smgaaa16@ptd.net
9/22/04	Southwest PA Area Agency on Aging	Older Worker Job Fair - Fayete County	Diana Broggi (724) 684-9000 ext.4432 dbroggi@swpa-aaa.org
9/22/04	Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Area Agency on Aging (PA)	Recognition luncheon for local employers and SCSEP participants.	Phil Semenza (570) 822-1158 ext. 318 psemenza@aging.luzerne-wyoming.org
9/23/04	Department of the Family Administration for Families and Children Puerto Rico	Proclamation presentation and reading at City Hall - Honorable Carlos Mendez, Mayor of Aguadilla	Lizbeth Piar (787) 642-1838
9/23/04	Maine Career Centers, Older Workers' Committee Augusta, ME	"Out-of-Work & Over 40 Program" Seminars & Job Fair	Jim McGrath (207) 287-9200
9/23/04	Mature Workers - Akron, OH	Job Fair	Paul Magnus (330) 762-8666 x164
9/23/04	Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging (PA)	Awards for Older Worker Employee of the year and Older Worker Employer of the year. County Commissioners Proclamation for NEOWW	Carol Levengood (717) 273-9262 clevengood@lebcnty.org
9/23/04	Southwest PA Area Agency on Aging	Fayette County Commissioners Proclamation for NEOWW	Diana Broggi (724) 684-9000 ext.4432 dbroggi@swpa-aaa.org
9/24/04	Conley Guerrero Senior Activity Center - Austin, TX	Appreciation Day for Employers and Future Employers	Eartha Colson (512) 478-7695
9/24/04	Gerontology Association of Puerto Rico	Conference - "Aging with Success…Is Possible"	Lizbeth Piar (787) 642-1838
9/24/04	Senior Employment Center - Euclid, OH	Speakers Series: 9 AM: Robert Half Management Resources, Jim Bares, Senior Account Executive, speaking about working with recruiters and staffing firms, recruiting for high-level financial and management positions 11 AM: EEOC, Vicki Pryor, Senior Investigator, speaking about what constitutes discrimination and disparate treatment, and how to file age discrimination complaints 2 PM: Manpower Professional, Willie Rosemond, Operations Supervisor, speaking on best practices in a job search, facts and figures of Manpower Surveys and how the labor market is changing, and opportunities available at Manpower	Rachel Stehle (216) 731-4664
9/25/04	Cypress Senior Center Cypress, CA	"Seasoned Older Worker Job Fair"	Joan Bardon (714) 229-2005
9/27/04	Mainstream, the Adult Institute at Westchester Community College; Department of Senior Programs and Services; New York State Department of Labor; Family Services of Westchester, Ser of Westchester Westchester Community College Faculty Dining Room Valhalla, NY	"New Opportunities For Older Workers" - Breakfast Networking Seminar/Workshop for Human Resource Professionals, HR Managers, Workforce Development Personnel Guest Speaker: Tracey Mitchell, Executive Director, Office of Workforce Development, City of Yonkers	Judith Richburg (914) 813-6440
9/27/04	Westchester Putnam One-Stop Employment Center White Plains, NY	Training Sessions - Computer Classes	Terri Rella (914) 995-3910
9/28/04	SER of Westchester White Plains, NY	Training Sessions - Computer Classes	Angela Hyman (914) 681-0996
9/28/04	Lebanon County Area Agency on Aging (PA)	Awards luncheon recognizing all nominated individuals and employers.	Carol Levengood (717) 273-9262 clevengood@lebcnty.org
9/29/04	New York State Department of Labor Peekskill, NY	Training Session	Joel Lachs (914) 737-3490 x322
9/29/04	New York State Department of Labor Yonkers, NY	Training Session	Florence Delaney (914) 965-9500
9/30/04	Kansas Department of Commerce and Aging	Awards Ceremony - Kansas Oldest Workers, Outstanding Older Workers, Outstanding Employers of Older Workers, Outstanding State SCSEP Participant and Host Agency	Toni Wellshear (785)296-1865
9/30/04	Women's Enterprise Development Center White Plains, NY	"So you're thinking of Starting up a Small Business" - Presenter: Persephone Zill Westchester Putnam OneStop Employment Center	Judith Richburg (914) 813-6440
9/30/04	New York State Department of Labor White Plains, NY	Seminars, Training Sessions, Computer Classes	Terri Rella (914) 995-3910
9/30/04	Family Services of Westchester 1 Summit Ave., 3rd Fl. White Plains, NY	"Every Voice Counts: Letters to the Leaders." Learn how to get the attention of your elected official - Presenter: Dr. Reva Greenberg, Director, VOCAL: Voices of Community Action and Leadership	Beverly Foster (914) 872-5267
10/01/04	New York State Department of Labor with the Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services; Mainstream, the Adult Institute at Westchester Community College; Westchester Putnam OneStop Employment Center, Family Services of Westchester, Ser of Westchester Westchester Community College, Student Lounge Valhalla, NY	JOB FAIR FOR WORKERS 50 + Meet representatives from employers interested in hiring the Mature Worker	Info Line: (914) 997-9552
10/5/04	Ohio Department of Aging	Governor's Conference on Aging - Ohio State University	Kathleen Dorcy (614)995-0883
10/15/04	Southwest PA Area Agency on Aging	Older Worker Job Fair - Washington County	Diana Broggi (724) 684-9000 ext.4432 dbroggi@swpa-aaa.org

National Employ Older Workers Week - 2007

National Employ Older Workers Week - 2006

National Employ Older Workers Week - 2005

National Employ Older Workers Week - 2003