Senior citizens have surpassed theyoung and middle-aged as the fastest growing segment of the workforce, and theDepartment of Health and Senior Services is expanding programs to meet thegrowing demand.
Missouri’s Senior Community ServiceEmployment program got a boost from the federal stimulus package, whichprovided an additional $2.8 million.
MikePatterson with the Department of Health says the department is working with statewide agencies and employers to host job fairs that are gearedto those 55 and older.
Patterson says employment programhas funding to place nearly 3,000 senior citizens this year. He saysolder adults are desirable employees due to their experience, work ethic,attendance and punctuality.
Economic necessity seems to be the driving factor behind senior citizens coming out of retirement and going back to work.
Older Workers Week is sponsored by theU.S. Department of Labor’s Senior Community Service Employment Program,which provides on-the-job training to individuals 55 or older with limitedfinances. Since its inception, the program has helped over one million olderAmericans enter the workforce.
The program is administered through a$2.8 million grant with the Department of Health and Senior Services and threeof its contracting agencies: Catholic Charities of Kansas City-St. Joseph,Inc., MERS/Missouri Goodwill Industries, and Experience Works, Inc
Jessica Machetta reports [Download/listen MP3]
