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September focuses on merits of hiring older workers

Posted on 20. Sep, 2005 by Bill in Employment News

September focuses on merits of hiring older workers

The concept of the “older worker” is no longer the stereotype of an individual who is nearing retirement. Today’s older workers are vibrant, talented individuals whose years of expertise are highly valued and are being looked upon by employers as respected and knowledgeable individuals in the prime of working life.This week, September 18-24, is National Employ The Older Worker Week.

The North Carolina Employment Security Commission encourages employers to recognize the attributes that older workers can bring to their businesses. These include loyalty and dedication to the company; commitment to doing quality work; dependability; solid performance record and experience in a job or industry; and the ability to get along well with co-workers.”There are so many false assumptions about older workers and their ability to perform well on the job,” said ESC Chairman Harry E. Payne Jr. “The fact is, older workers provide stability. They have a lower turnover rate than younger employees do. And, as the population ages, it will be a strong advantage to have older employees who can relate to older customers.”Just take a closer look in your own community, ESC officials say. The new business owner down the street, the consultant hired by your firm-chances are they are older workers. Eighty-four percent of baby boomers (ages 37 to 55) currently participate in the labor market, and baby boomers make up nearly 50 percent of the workforce. As the baby boomer population ages, the growth rate of the workforce between ages 55 to 64 will be the highest in the United States, labor officials say.By 2008, one in six workers will be over 55. By 2030, more Americans will be over the age of 65 than under 18. Most of these individuals will still be working-some out of necessity and some by choice. Consequently, as North Carolina’s workforce becomes older and more experienced, employers in the state will benefit from hiring older workers whose skills, work ethic and leadership will be reaching an aging customer base.The ESC has older worker specialists in most of its 93 offices across the state who serve as a resource for this important group, assisting in job placement and referral; resume and interview preparation; and, identifying suitable training options. Over the past year, the ESC has placed over 5,000 older workers in new jobs.For more information about employment services for older workers, contact your nearest ESC office

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Tags: Employment News