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open the door for mature job seekers
With 50+ workers remaining in the workforce long past traditional retirement age -what does this mean for employers, employees and consumers today and in the future? The AARP Foundation and 13 major companies announced today a major new program to help Americans aged 50 and over to stay in the workforce. The new Workforce Initiative includes highlighting "Featured Employers"–companies that have committed to an aggressive program of recruiting, hiring, and retaining mature workers. The first group of Featured Employers includes major names in business: Adecco, AlliedBarton Security Services, Borders Group, Inc., Express Personnel Services, Johns Hopkins Health System, Kelly Services, Manpower Inc., MetLife Inc., Pitney Bowes, Principal Financial Group, The Home Depot, Universal Health Services and Walgreens. Read comments from Featured Employers "We are working with these forward thinking businesses to increase the impact of an aging workforce on the economy," stated Jerry Florence, AARP Foundation Director. "We want to improve the economic well being of mature workers seeking employment and build awareness of the need for and value of the older worker," continued Florence.Last February the AARP Foundation announced its first hiring partnership, with The Home Depot—a national program to attract, motivate and retain eligible older workers as part- and full-time associates in new and existing stores across the country. Immediately and throughout the year, hundreds of thousands of inquiries have been received from AARP members and others interested in employment. "This demonstrates the need for our expanded Workforce Initiative. Older employees benefit everybody: workers continue to earn and stay engaged and productive; and mature workers will help employers to avert the labor shortages that will occur as boomers retire and fewer young workers enter the workplace," said AARP CEO Bill Novelli. By 2010, almost one in three workers will be at least 50. As boomers begin to approach retirement age, the pool of replacement workers will not be large enough to meet employers' labor demands. In working with the AARP Foundation, Featured Employers have recognized the need to prepare for the changing workforce. Job seekers can visit AARP's website to learn about each Featured Employer, including types of jobs available, benefits, and how to apply. The website provides a link to applications, instructions and additional information at each company. The Featured Employers Program is part of AARP Foundation's Workforce Initiative. The overall goal is to connect mature workers with job opportunities. First, it will help 50+ workers prepare for remaining in the workforce by linking them with skills assessment tools and training resources. Next, it will provide connections for those who may want full or part-time jobs or new careers with companies who value their experience. Finally, it will be a resource to large and small companies, to help them understand the needs and interests of a mature workforce. The strength of this program involves commitment on the state and local level working with both the public and private workforce sectors to provide connections for mature workers seeking employment. Featured Employers, company descriptions and links to applications are available at www.aarp.org/featuredemployers. Job search assistance and resources geared towards the 50-plus worker can be found at www.aarp.org/careers.
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