Mayors to Honor Contributions of Older Workers
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In honor of Berkshire County’s older workforce, the mayors of both of the county’s cities are encouraging employers to observe 2015 National Employ Older Worker Week.
The Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, Elder Services of Berkshire County and BerkshireWorks Career Center will join with Pittsfield Mayor Daniel Bianchi at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21, at Pittsfield City Hall and North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, at North Adams City Hall to help honor the work of mature workers.
In Berkshire County, 43 percent of the workforce is 55 and older compared to Massachusetts at 33 percent and in Berkshire County 28.4 percent of the workforce is age 65 or higher (20.7 percent for the state). This dedicated and experienced segment of the labor force contributes immensely to both private and public sectors, and in paid and volunteer positions. As baby boomers continue to retire there will be a severe labor shortage. Unless we can keep the older, productive individuals working, the shortage in labor will have an adverse affect on the economy.
National Employ Older Workers Week also showcases the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which provides on-the-job skills training to individuals 55 or older with limited financial resources. Since its inception, SCSEP has helped over one million older Americans enter the workforce. SCSEP is administered by the U.S. Department of Labor and serves unemployed low-income persons who are age 55 and older and have low employment prospects. Participants are placed in paid community service positions for a maximum of 20 hours per week. The goal of the program is to prepare individuals with the necessary skills and job training to obtain unsubsidized employment. Participants receive orientation, skills assessments, a free physical exam, community service assignments, computer training, job search assistance and supportive services.
National Employ Older Workers Week provides an opportunity to increase awareness and focus on the development of innovative strategies for tapping into this underutilized labor pool, which in turn can help address the potential shortage in labor sectors. These proclamations are meant to encourage and bring about awareness of the contributions made by older workers in the Berkshire labor market.
Tags: elderly, employment,
