CORDELE — With the unemployment rate on the rise, it is becoming increasingly hard for job seekers to find employment.
According to Bureau of Labor statistics the unemployment rate for citizens that are 65+ is at its highest point in 30 years. Job competition is fierce and older workers are often at a disadvantage, says John Heinis, employment anad training coordinator for the Senior Community Services Employment Program (SCSEP).
When older workers lose jobs, he said, they are less likely to get another one as quickly, resulting in greater earnings losses than younger workers.
“The majority of citizens falling into this category are honest, hard-working folks and have been in their job for years and for some reason have lost their employment,” said Heinis.
“They may lack technical and computer skills needed. They have been in the work force for so long that they do not really know how to look for a job. Most do not know about creating a resume´ or how to search for jobs and complete applications online.”
The SCSEP, commonly known as the Experience Works program, is a non-profit, community-based organization focused on meeting the training and employment needs of seniors 55 or older, with limited incomes who are unemployed and willing to seek employment, and are eligible to work in the United States.
Community service is a central component of the Experience Works.
“First, we do individual assessments and help identify barriers,” said Heinis. “The greatest of those barriers is age. We also provide training, job search assistance, and community service training assignments.”
Each year older workers with the program contribute more than 60 million hours of community service while completing those on-the-job training assignments.
Heinis says that Experience Works is not a welfare program, and participants do not have to be on unemployment to qualify.
The program is designed to help people overcome barriers to employment and is accessible through Department of Labor Career Centers .
“I am very committed to this program,” he said. “I highly recommend that those who qualify come and check into the program.”
Anyone who is 55 or older, and would like more information on what Experience Works can do for them should call 1-800-854-1578.
Employers interested in participating in the program can contact Heinis at (478)297-2673. Visit online at www.experienceworks.org.
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“Overlooked and undeserved”
Helping America’s older workers
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