Older Job Seekers in Georgia Learn New Skills
While there were rays
of hope in the recently
released jobless report,
statistics show that one
segment of the population
remains overlooked
and underserved.
The number of
unemployed individuals
age 55 and older rose to
2,082,000 in November,
up 54% from November
2008 and the most since
the Bureau of Labor
Statistics started keeping
records for specific
age groups. Experts
in Georgia say older
job seekers are faced
with unprecedented
challenges, and many
are on the verge of crisis.
“The number of
older workers who are
seeking assistance from
Experience Works has
increased an average
of 33 percent over last
year. Many are on the
brink of homelessness
or are being forced to
choose between shelter,
food and medicine,”
said Billy Wooten,
Georgia state director
for Experience Works,
the nation’s largest
nonprofit provider of
community service,
training and employment
opportunities for
older workers.
“Unfortunately, the
search for employment
is much more difficult for people in this age
group, because they
often lack the technical
skills needed to compete
in today’s job market.”
Wooten encourages
low-income older
individuals in Georgia
to take advantage
of free job training
services offered through
Experience Works.
Through the Senior
Community Service
Employment Program,
qualified participants
receive self assessments,
technical and skills training, assistance with
the job search process,
and placement in an
appropriate training
assignment with a local
community service
agency. Participants
earn the minimum
wage while acquiring
the skills and tools
they need to transition
from community
service assignments to
permanent employment
with a local employer.
"Older workers have a lot to offer—experience, knowledge, dependability and enthusiasm," Wooten said. "Through the SCSEP, they can get the training they need to overcome barriers and continue to be a vital part of the workforce."
For more information about Experience Works (formerly Green Thumb), or to see if you qualify for the Senior Community Service Employment Program, call 912-756-7708 or log onto www.experienceworks.org.
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