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OPA News Release: [04/23/2002]
Contact Name: Sue Hensley
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676

Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Announces Website To Attract Job Seekers To Careers in Long Term Care Facilities Shortage Of Workers Needed To Care For America’s “Greatest Generation”

WASHINGTON - U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today announced the launch of www.CareCareers.net, a new on-line job bank dedicated exclusively to linking job seekers to new careers in long-term care nursing and retirement homes.

“Many members of our World War II generation, who accomplished some of our nation’s most courageous acts, are now living in nursing and retirement homes,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. “Dedicated workers are desperately needed to care for those who sacrificed so greatly for our country. This new job bank will build a bridge for jobs seekers to employers who are facing a severe worker shortage in long-term care facilities.”

The Secretary was joined at the announcement by third generation Olympian and gold medallist, Jim Shea, Jr., who will do the first public service announcement to support the Web site.

CareCareers.net is available 24 hours-a-day and is free of charge for both job seekers and employers. Job seekers will be able to research local job listings and post their resume for openings in long-term care nursing and retirement homes in their local community or anywhere in the country. Employers can use the service to post job listings and access resumes.

Health services is one of the largest industries in the country, representing more than 11 million jobs, a field that is growing at a rapid pace as the result of the expansion of nursing homes and long-term care facilities for the elderly. Nursing homes are facing a particularly acute shortfall, with an immediate need for more than 115,000 workers.

CareCareers.net was developed by industry representatives from the American Health Care Association and the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging with Department of Labor resources.

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