Older workers are an under-tapped labor force and represent a vast community resource that is largely sitting on the sidelines. Many older job seekers would love to enter or re-enter the workforce but face large obstacles.
Imagine the difficulty of finding a job if you don’t have the necessary skills, you’ve been out of the workforce for some time, or you’re competing against workers who are many decades younger than you.
That’s the reality facing many older Americans trying to reenter the workforce. The clock is ticking as they struggle to gain financial independence, self-respect, confidence and an improved quality of life.
The Senior Community Service Employment Program, or SCSEP, is a path to employment for low-income, unemployed or under-employed individuals age 55 and older. Through a mix of skills training, supportive services and paid on-the-job training, this U.S. Department of Labor-funded program is helping older job seekers overcome obstacles, build confidence, and get what they need to compete and succeed in today’s job market.
With the help of dedicated staff, participants tap into interests, life experience, transferable skills, and personal goals to develop individual employment plans.
Next, program staff match SCSEP participants with paid community service assignments at local public and nonprofit organizations to gain on-the-job training and real-time work experience. Community service assignments are carefully selected for each individual and are based upon a participant’s desire to learn a particular skill or occupation.
The variety of community service opportunities are wide – performing clerical duties for a busy community health clinic, maintaining the appearance of a YMCA or church, staffing the front desk of a local non-profit organization, or assisting in a public library.
While some participants remain at one host agency during their training, others might be relocated several times to broaden their scope of training and experience.
Participants earn minimum wage while performing these community service roles and participating in training – averaging approximately 20 hours each week. The extra money they earn is a much-needed supplement for low-income older adults trying to make ends meet on social security, disability checks or other limited income.
As SCSEP participants become job ready while working in their on-the-job training placement, they develop a real sense of pride knowing their efforts are making a difference in their communities. Last year alone, roughly 3,000 participants nationwide contributed nearly 2,000,000 hours to enhance and expand local non-profit services. Many host non-profit agencies report that some outreach and services would not be possible without the extra help SCSEP participants provide.
Throughout their enrollment, participants have access to additional free training in computer skills, resume development, interview skills, job search assistance, certification programs, and much more.
With ongoing support and guidance, participants can reach their goal of transitioning into meaningful unsubsidized permanent employment, whether they are hired by their host agencies, or use their new skills and experiences as a springboard to jobs with new employers. Income, confidence and quality of life go up for the participants and employers gain trained, reliable employees with a lifetime of experience and wisdom, ready and eager to work. If you are 55 or older, are unemployed or underemployed and have limited or no current income, you may be eligible to earn a paycheck and update your job skills through the Senior Community Service Employment Program. Call Pat at (269) 983-7058 to see if the program is a fit for you. It could be the stepping stone to permanent employment that could transform your life.