The Strategic Advantage of Older Workers
Winston-Salem Urban League highlights the importance of 50+ talent during Older Americans Month
Winston-Salem, NC, May 1, 2018 – This year Older Americans Month falls as both the national and local US economies reach near-record heights. With increasing discussion on how to maintain a competitive advantage in this marketplace, one universal theme from both policymakers and CEOs is the need for skilled talent to sustain economic growth.
The theme for Older American Month is “Engage at any Age,” highlighting that there’s no such thing as too old to engage in new endeavors. Winston-Salem Urban League in partnership with Senior Service America, have employment-training programs for seniors that demonstrate the strategic advantage that older workers bring to the US economy.
Growing Employee and Skill Needs
Workers 55 and over are projected to make up 25 percent of the civilian labor force by the year 2020. This happens as the number of younger workers in America is set to decrease within a few years.
In addition to new employees, there is a need for skills to support emerging industries and growing economies. In particular, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills are at a premium to sustain economic growth.
Older Workers as a Strategic Advantage
Winston-Salem Urban League serves all groups of Americans, including military veterans. Advocates for veteran employment often say “Hiring Veterans is not goodwill. It’s good business.” The same can be said for hiring older workers.
Older workers are a mature, skilled group of talent, and research shows a multi-generations workforce makes better business decisions together.
Workforce Development is Key
The cornerstone of these efforts is the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). This is the only federal program targeted to help older workers. The SCSEP program provides experience and training that leads to permanent employment. To date, Senior Service America has placed 12,610 older workers into permanent employment through the SCSEP program.
Senior Service America works through a network of local partners, like Winston-Salem Urban League, delivering career-training programs for 55-plus-year-old workers. These local partners are a key to the strength of the program and provide the systems to train older Americans to be a strategic advantage for employers and the country.
For more information about Winston-Salem Urban League visit 4×8.6f1.myftpupload.com.
For more information about SSAI visit www.seniorserviceamerica.org.
About Winston-Salem Urban League
The Winston-Salem Urban League is a non-profit organization that empowers and advocates for a diverse community, and promotes socioeconomic progress and parity through education, training, and civic engagement.
About Senior Service America, Inc.
Senior Service America, Inc. (SSAI) is committed to making it possible for low-income and other disadvantaged older adults to participate fully in determining their own future and the future of their communities. For 50 years, the organization has operated the federal Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) through a network of local subgrantee organizations. For more information, please visit www.seniorserviceamerica.org