U.S. Department of Labor awards $10 million to promote older workers in job market

http://www.thedailytell.com/2009/08/us-department-of-labor-awards-10-million-to-promote-older-workers-in-job-market/

Article By John Bracchitta On August - 6 - 2009

The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $10 million in funding to a group of organizations dedicated to helping older workers find new career opportunities, and partnered with Atlantic Philanthropies to bring in another $3.6 million as part of its Aging Worker Initiative to help stimulate the economy.

The funding will be split 10 ways into awards of approximately $1 million and given to organizations that focus on helping older individuals who have been laid off and are seeking re-employment, cannot retire but need more training add to their skill sets, or have disabilities that must be addressed. The organizations receiving the funds are located in Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont, Washington and Wisconsin.

All that is accomplished from the $10 million in funding will be part of the Aging Workers: Strategies for Regional Talent Development program, which will help train Americans over the age of 55 for jobs in high-demand industries. Additionally, the program will also help the public workforce system adjust to better serve aging workers

Additionally, the funding from the private-public partnership with the Atlantic Philanthropies will go toward the creation of both the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning and the Council on Competitiveness, which will both provide assistance to the grantees, study additional strategies to promote career opportunities for aging workers.

"Older Americans are an important part of the workforce, and their skills and experience are of tremendous value to our nation," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "With expanded education and training opportunities, such as those made possible through this grant, older workers can broaden their own career opportunities and further contribute to the growth of industries across the United States."

According to the Department of Labor, the number of workers who are 55-years-old or older will jump 36.5 percent between 2006 and 2016.