Wiser Worker Blog

Kind of interesting news out of New York, the Center for Best Practices of the National Governors Association has selected New York to receive a grant to help keep older New Yorkers active in workplace and volunteer activities.

The plan is designed to help create opportunities for older adults-both employment and volunteer.  It’s specific goals are:

Develop a strategic plan to increase employment and volunteer opportunities for older adults.

Ensure that older adults can age with dignity and respect in their communities with volunteer support from their peers.

Create a unified communication strategy and educational campaign to promote civic engagement among older New Yorkers and highlight the benefits and contributions they can make in the work force and voluntary endeavors.

Essentially this grant will help not only the older workers in the area stay active and find employment opportunities but also encourage volunteerism and help out the city.  A quote from the Watertown Daily Times shows that employers have a lot ot benefit from older workers:

“Older Americans want to work longer, are prepared to work longer and have more commitment and motivation,” said Beth Finkel, manager of state operations for AARP New York. “While they may use more health care, but you save in retraining and don’t lose institutional knowledge.”

Afterall, the Department of Labor keeps saying that the older workers are staying in the workforce longer.  We’re living longer and staying healthier, so it’s not a surprise that this demographic are wanting to or needing to work longer to support themselves. The article sounds very promising so if you’re in the New York area it’s definitely worth checking out. 

The great thing though is that WiserWorker can help you now to find jobs, job fairs and provides resources for older workers right now.  While this grant is good news, you don’t have to wait to find employers who are willing to hire a wiser worker.

Read the full article: Grant to help older workers find volunteer and paid jobs, Watertown Daily Times
Photo by NGOA&ENGAF

I was reading an article the other day that focused on the realization that Baby Boomers and older workers would contribute huge numbers of qualified workers as we enter the period of time that aligns with the declining numbers of “younger workers” in the labor pool around years 2010-2015. You can read the full article here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4916661/

What got my attention was the discussion about the specific experience one older job seeker had while applying for a job.

She was clearly qualified, clearly enthusiastic about the opportunity, and seemed to appear, on paper, like a promising candidate for the position. However, once she got to the in-person interview, the hiring manager seemed turned off by her age.

I was disappointed.

Despite the progress we have made in America over the last 30 years concerning equality; issues like this may still be prevalent. Of course, the article was written four years ago and thanks to organizations like the AARP and the Department of Labor, we have come further, still. Awareness of mature workers’ value is becoming very well known. Companies of all sizes are being proactive in getting their employment opportunities in front of highly qualified, loyal employees who have a history demonstrating the best work ethic in older workers years of experience. Resources are sprouting all over the Internet for older candidates to find “Boomer-Friendly” employers and fast-track their applications to hiring managers for immediate consideration without the fear of discrimination.

Here are just some of the companies you can find on WiserWorker.com:

ADT Security Gate Gourmet

Aflac, Inc. Guardsmark

Bob Evans H&R Block

CBRE HMS Host

Cracker Barrel Intercontinental Hotel Group

Dollar General Stores Internal Revenue Service

Embassy Suites Jani-King

First Cash Harris Teeter

First Student And Many More….

(This guest post was written by Jeff Lebel, The General Sales Manager for the Washington D.C. Employment Guide.)

(Top Photo by criggchef)