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AARP Expands Effort to Help Older Americans Stay at
Work
March 1, 2005 - The AARP has announced an expansion
of their Workforce Initiative, which began with Home Depot, to include
13 major companies in the effort to help Americans aged 50 and over to
stay in the workforce.
The program will highlight companies that have
committed to an aggressive program of recruiting, hiring and retaining
mature workers, they say.
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.
"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 Depota 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.
The AARP Foundation is AARP's affiliated charity.
Foundation programs provide security, protection and empowerment for
people 50 and older at social and economic risk. Low-income older
workers receive the job training and placement they need to re-join the
workforce. Free tax preparation is provided for low- and moderate-income
individuals, with special attention to those 60 and older. The
Foundation's litigation staff protects the legal rights of older
Americans in critical health, long-term care, consumer and employment
situations. Additional programs provide information, education and
services to ensure that people over 50 lead lives of independence,
dignity and purpose. Foundation programs are funded by grants,
tax-deductible contributions and AARP.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership
organization dedicated to making life better for people 50 and over. We
provide information and resources; engage in legislative, regulatory and
legal advocacy; assist members in serving their communities; and offer a
wide range of unique benefits, special products, and services for our
members. These include AARP The Magazine, published bimonthly; AARP
Bulletin, our monthly newspaper; AARP Segunda Juventud, our quarterly
publication for Hispanic members; NRTA Live and Learn for National
Retired Teachers Association members; and our Web site,
www.aarp.org. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District
of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
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