God's Way Thrift Store is honored

The First State Community Action Agency presented an Outstanding Older Employee of the Year and an Outstanding Older Employer of the Year Sept. 23, at Gods Way Thrift Shop in Rehoboth Beach. National Employ Older Workers Week, held annually the last week of September, recognizes the vital role of older workers in the workforce. National Employ Older Workers Week aims to increase awareness of this labor segment and develop innovative strategies to tap it. It also showcases the Senior Community Service Employment Program, which provides on-the-job skills training to individuals 55 or older with limited financial resources.

Since its inception, SCSEP has helped over one million older Americans enter the workforce. First State Community Action Agency trains the older prospective employees in skills to help them gain meaningful employment. Bernice Edwards, Executive Director of First State which has a staff of eight part-time trainees, says older workers are reliable and play a vital role in the workforce. “You can expect them to give an honest day’s work and do the job well. They are not only a valuable asset to their training sites, but to the community.” Older adults are now the fastest-growing segment of the American workforce; people 55 and up are forecast to make up one-fourth of the civilian labor force in 2020. (POLL--the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research). Senior Employment Program Manager Roy Hazzard attributes the change to individuals living longer, retiring later, or needing additional income to supplement their fixed incomes and benefits. “There’s a need to work and also a desire to work. Many seniors want to work because it gives them something meaningful and productive to do; they can use their skills and experience to give back to society,” he said.