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AARP and 13 major
companies
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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