By Mitch Coppes, Government Relations Senior Specialist, Goodwill Industries International
Older Americans Month is observed every May to celebrate older Americans and their many contributions to our communities, as well as to promote independent living, wellness, social engagement and employment among aging adults. The COVID-19 pandemic placed enormous hardships on older Americans who faced barriers to safely accessing training, community service and job opportunities. Despite these challenges, older workers continue to serve a vital role in our workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the labor force participation rate for adults ages 55 and over was 38.7% in April 2022. Older individuals bring to the workplace their knowledge, dedication, judgement, and insights gained through years of work and life experiences.
In a proclamation marking Older Americans Month 2022, President Joe Biden praised the service of older workers throughout the pandemic and called for federal resources to help support them going forward.
“During the pandemic, many seniors came out of retirement to serve their communities in healthcare and education roles, filling job vacancies in critical shortage areas,” wrote Biden. “Moving forward, we must ensure that older Americans have the appropriate resources to maintain their independence and stay connected to their communities.”
Local Goodwill® organizations provide services to thousands of older Americans each year. With support from the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), Goodwill helps low-income older job seekers connect to employment and service opportunities. SCSEP is a critical component in our nation’s workforce development system that is helping to address the employment challenges of older Americans as well as the workforce needs of employers. Local Goodwill organizations also offer older workers individualized support with digital literacy, credentialing and job placement.
Building an inclusive and resiliently skilled workforce is essential to ensuring an economic revival that benefits all Americans. Congress is currently considering Fiscal Year 2023 funding for important job training programs, including SCSEP.
Your voice is important to our efforts in educating policymakers about the value of SCSEP and the positive impact that older workers have in our communities. Visit our Legislative Action Center to connect with your lawmakers and sign up to receive updates about SCSEP and other Goodwill policy priorities.
