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National Employ Older Workers Week
September 24-30, 2006

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.

National Employ Older Workers Week showcases the efforts of the Department of Labor’s Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) of over 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.

DATE	SPONSORS	EVENT	CONTACT
9/8/06	SER Metro – Detroit Detroit Workforce Network Detroit, MI	Recognition of SCSEP participants, host agencies and employers	Leo Quirino 972.830.6365
9/20/06	Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Security St. Paul, MN	Presented the Governor’s proclamation at State Capitol Hosted a luncheon with presentations to recognize SCSEP honorees with their family members and friends, local businesses, host agencies, employers and State and National Grantees.	Taryn Galehdari taryn.galehdari @state.mn.us
9/20/06	Mature Workers Alliance: Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council Seattle Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens NAPCA AARP Seattle, WA	Hire Experience: Job and Resource Fair (Targeting Workers 50+)	Lori Mina 206.615.1753 lori.mina @seattle.gov
9/21/06	Office of Elder Services State Bureau of Employment Services Older Worker Committee of the Maine Jobs Council National ABLE SCSEP State of Maine	Blaine House Conference on Aging: “Silver Collar Awards” presented to ten Maine businesses deemed Senior Friendly. Addressed senior employment issues facing seniors in Maine in addition to housing, transportation, care-giving, elder abuse, and healthy aging.	Jim McGrath(SCSEP) james.mcgrath @maine.gov Dan Muth(SCSEP) dmuth @nationalable.org Mary Fran Gamage(Labor) maryfrances.r. gamage @maine.gov
9/21/06	Washington County One-Stop Center Woodbury, MN	Reception for SCSEP Participants and SCSEP Host Sites, Governor’s Proclamation presented. Speakers: Robert Crawford, Director Deb Reckner, SCSEP Program Coordinator Taryn Galehdari, DEED	Carol Turenne 651.275.8687 Deb Reckner 651.275.8683
9/22/06	Austin, TX	Governor’s proclamation	Beverly Donoghue 512.936.2146
9/24-29/06	Office of Elderly Affairs Local Councils on Aging Louisiana	Recognition ceremonies held across the state. A plaque from the Office of Elderly Affairs & Governor of Louisiana presented to each “Legacy of Achievement” winner. Older workers nominated by employers and chosen by a selection committee locally.	Rosemary Davis rkdavis @goea.state.la.us
9/25/06	Easter Seals Achievement Center (Opelika, AL) Easter Seals Central Alabama (Montgomery) Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast Mobile, AL	National Employ the Older Worker Week Proclamation Signing	Terry Parham terrparh @achievement -center.org Frankie Thomas fthomas @easter sealsca.org Debbie Edmonds Debbie @gesgc.org
9/25/06	Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities Delaware	Recognition of distinguished participants and employers Thanks to Host Training Sites Read Governor’s Proclamation	William Abernathy 302.255.9361 william.abernathy @state.de.us
9/25/06	Local One-Stop partners: Experience Works Operation Able Employment Security WIA WCIAAA Quincy, IL	Older Worker Conference	Lana Clark lclark @wciaging network.org
9/26/06	Hobbs Department of Labor (DOL) Hobbs, New Mexico	Presented the Governor’s proclamation; Provided employment and training info., and refreshments	Richard Hunt richard.hunt @state.nm.us Paris Thomas paris.thomas @state.nm.us
9/27/06	Easter Seals Chicago, IL	Easter Seals national headquarters celebration honoring older workers	Carol Salter csalter @easter seals.com
9/27/06	CT State Unit on Aging Hartford, CT	14th Annual Employer Recognition Breakfast Honored employers and the CT Outstanding Older Worker Collaboration: CT DSS/Aging Services Div., The American Legion, CT DOL, AARP-CT, Experience Works, Commission on Aging, Area Agencies on Aging, SCSEP Host Agencies, SCSEP Participants, and National and State SCSEP Providers	Dee Ana White 860.424.5293 dee.white @ct.gov
9/27/06	Albuquerque DOL Albuquerque, NM	Presented the Governor’s proclamation; speakers from NM Aging and Long-Term Services Department-Senior Employment Program, AARP, NM DOL, NICOA, Goodwill Industries; and provided training and employment information, and refreshments for older workers.	Marvin Hopkins marvin.hopkins @state.nm.us
9/27/06	Las Cruces DOL Las Cruces, NM	Presented the Governor’s proclamation; speaker’s from NM Aging and Long-Term Services Department, NMDOL - Vets, DVR, RSVP, with refreshments and resource information for Seniors.	Richard Wagner Diana Betts Eduvina Padilla richard.wagner @state.nm.us
9/28/06	Roswell DOL Roswell, NM	Presented the Governor’s and Mayor’s proclamations for a celebration of older workers to Seniors, community members, local businesses, and representatives from local radio and newspapers; resource information, refreshments and entertainment was enjoyed by all.	Janene Haldeman feona.haldeman @state.nm.us
9/28/06	Maryland Department of Aging Frostburg Senior Center Frostburg, MD	“2006 Employer of the Year Awards” Luncheon – recognition of local employers who actively seek and employ older workers.	Karen Curran Fields Program Manager 410.767.1276
9/28/06	Florida Department of Elder Affairs Tallahassee Senior Center Tallahassee, FL	Annual Older Workers Week Celebration Guest speaker – representative from CVS/Pharmacy Testimonials from sub-grantees, participants, host agencies and employers Governor’s proclamation read by State Representative Marti Coley	JoAnn Williams 850.414.2065
9/29/06	West Central IL Area Agency on Aging Quincy, IL	NEOWW Awards Luncheon	Lana Clark lclark @wciaging network.org
9/29/06	Santa Fe’s Comprehensive One-Stop Career Center Santa Fe, NM	“Our Living Treasures/Tesoros Vigorosos” Presented the Governor’s/NM Speaker of the House/Mayor’s proclamations; info. booths from S.F. One-Stop Center, NM Aging and Long-Term Services Department-SEP, NM. DOL, Goodwill Indust., D.V.R., S.F. Senior Services, etc.; with resource information for Seniors and their families and friends – live music/food/door prizes/health screening, and a computer lab.	Louise Williams lwilliams @ones topnnm.org
9/29/06	Ruidoso/Alamogordo DOL Alamogordo, NM	Presented the Governor’s proclamation at the open house; provided labor market, training and employment information to seniors and the general community; shared food/giveaways/flowers donated by local businesses.	Lupe Martinez lupe.martinez @state.nm.us
9/29/06	Carlsbad, NM	Presented the Governor’s proclamation; outreach to older workers and businesses in the community with an event that provided them with program information and refreshments.	Mildred Henderson mildred.henderson @state.nm.us
9/29/06	Farmington One-Stop Career Center Farmington, NM	Presented the Governor’s proclamation; hosted a luncheon to honor SCSEP and local businesses’ older workers; senior centers and the community joined to share donated food and door prizes.	Janice Hammond jhammond @onestopnnm.org
9/29/06	Denver, CO	Banquet	Audrey Krebs 303.866.2846
10/2/06	Goodwill Easter Seals of the Gulf Coast Mobile, AL	Intergenerational Day “The Past to the Present”	Debbie Edmonds Debbie @gesgc.org

National Employ Older Workers Week - 2007

National Employ Older Workers Week - 2005

National Employ Older Workers Week - 2004

National Employ Older Workers Week - 2003


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