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The
Kentucky Office of Employment and Training recognizes that the
older Older Workers in Today's Job Market Older Workers who may have been overlooked in the job market in the past are now finding themselves to be a hot product in today’s economy. Older workers are now a significant resource in the labor force. Employers who do not make this discovery will continue to struggle to find the skilled workers needed to compete effectively in this strong economy. Between the years of 2000 and 2010, the age group experiencing the greatest growth will be those ages 55-64. It has been projected that 20% of the workforce will be ages 55 and older by the year 2005. ("Implications of an Aging Labor Force for Human Development Resource Development Policy," by G.M. Barber, R.T. Crouch, and S.L. Merker). In a report "Valuing Older Workers" by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), 1995, managers described older workers as having had more experience, better judgment, a stronger commitment to quality, more reliable attendance and punctuality, and a lower turnover rate. Unemployment rates at the lowest levels in the last 30 years have created a greater demand for reliable workers to fill jobs. The U.S. Department of Labor figures show that the current unemployment rate for over-55 workers is substantially less than that for the U.S. work force in general. This would seem to signal there is already a growing reliance on older workers. Given the opportunity, the older worker offers many skills that can reduce your training cost and increase profits. Employers need to think about retention of older employees. Retaining an older worker will save on recruitment and training of hiring a new employee.
There are many organizations available to assist older workers re-enter the work force, upgrade their skills and find suitable employment. They can provide information to educate the older worker, the employer and the local community about the value of the older worker and the training opportunities and other resources available to facilitate the employment of older workers. Easter Seals Senior Community Service Employment Program. funded under Title V of the Older Americans Act, subcontracts with nine Easter Seals affiliates in 9 states to serve persons with low incomes who are 55 years old or over and have poor employment prospects. The program has two purposes: to provide useful community services and to foster individual economic independence through training and realistic job placements. Services provide participants with:
For more information, contact Hanna Sabel, 270-889-6509, ext. 263. Senior Community Service Employment Programs for Seniors The
Older Americans Act funds the
Senior Community Service Employment Programs (SCSEP). Easter
Seals administers SCSEP in the Hopkinsville area. This
program enables low income job seekers age 55 and older gain
the skills and paid work experience needed to re-enter the labor
force, transitioning into permanent, unsubsidized jobs. While in
temporary assignments with nonprofit organizations, enrollees help
maintain and deliver key community services. Participants are allowed
to work an average of 20 hours per week. American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) AARP
promotes and supports advocacy, education, and community service
activities in states and communities. AARP works in both private
and public sectors to improve the quality of life for all Americans
as they grow older. Find your state.
AARP Foundation administers programs that assist older Americans.
These programs, funded by grants or cooperative agreements with
governments or private organizations, provide a wide variety of
services including job training,
tax assistance,
assistance with important lawsuits
being decided by the courts, and much more. For more information
call 502-584-0309 in Louisville and 270-683-4583 in Owensboro.
Or you may call the toll-free number 1-800-424-3410 for
more information about AARP services. Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) ADEA
was enacted in 1967 by Congress to protect older workers between
ages 40 and over from age discrimination in the workplace.
ADEA also protects older workers from discrimination in recruitment,
training, promotion, pay, benefits, layoffs, retirement and other
employment practices. ADEA makes it illegal for employers
with 20 or more employees to fire or to refuse to hire an older
worker based solely on age. However, age can be considered
in hiring or retaining workers if age is reasonably related to the
worker's ability to perform a specific job. For more information
go to: AARP or
Cornell Law.
The Older Americans Act - Title III Title
III of the Older Americans Act was enacted by the federal government
to provide various services to seniors 60 and older. Services
provided include meals, transportation, counseling, information
and referral to other agencies, outreach, etc. The Office
of Aging Services in the Cabinet
for Health and Family Services, (502-564-6930), is the government
agency responsible for administering the federally funded programs
under Title III of the Older Americans Act. Legal Helpline for Older Kentuckians The Access to
Justice Foundation has established a toll free number at State Health Insurance Advisory Program (SHIP) The State Health Insurance Advisory Program (SHIP) is a federally funded, state-administered program that helps elderly and disabled Medicare recipients understand their rights and options for health care. The SHIP program conducts one-one-one counseling to assist seniors determine which benefits they may be eligible to receive. SHIP counselors can provide current information about benefits; help you understand health insurance options, make recommendations about how to secure benefits or appeal denials of benefits. SHIP can help with Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Social Security, Medicaid, as well as other legal and benefits problems. The Kentucky
SHIP statewide toll free number is 877-293-7447, 888-642-1137
(TTY). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services administer the Medicare and Medicaid programs, which provide health care to the older population and those who are indigent. They also administers the Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) through approved state plans that cover more than 2.2 million children. For information about Kentucky's health insurance program for children visit the KCHIP web site. You
can access an on-line publication of the Medicare
Handbook to obtain additional information regarding the Medicare
health insurance program. If
you have an interest in using your talents, skills and experience
to volunteer in your community, contact the Kentucky
Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service at 502-564-7420
for more information. The Commission is located at 275 E. Main Street,
Frankfort, KY 40621. Aging, Education and Older Students The University of Louisville, the University of Kentucky, and some
other state universities offer students 65 years of age and older,
tuition free enrollment. Listed below are Aging Centers and Programs in these colleges and universities:
Committees on Aging The Senate and House of Representatives both have committees dealing with issues of interest to seniors:
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Office of Employment and Training
110
Riverfront Drive
Hopkinsville, KY 42241-1128
Phone: (270) 889-6509
Fax: (270) 889-6599
An
Official Commonwealth of Kentucky Web Site
An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/D