LOUISVILLE, KY. – Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is celebrating National Employ Older Workers Week — September 24 – 30, 2023 — which recognizes the vital role of older workers in the workforce and commemorates the contributions and achievements made by U.S. employees over the age of 55.
In recognition of the valuable contributions made by this segment of the workforce, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is proud to take part once again in the annual commemoration. Goodwill® is one of only 20 national nonprofit organizations authorized by the U.S. Department of Labor to administer the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) to aid older workers.
Through SCSEP, these individuals receive paid training through part-time, service-oriented positions in their communities. The program aims to promote community service while helping participants achieve fiscal self-sufficiency. Over the last year, Goodwill’s SCSEP efforts have helped more than 2,800 older adults in local communities. Older adults in the program have contributed nearly 1.6 million hours of service to nonprofit organizations and other entities. In the 51-county Kentucky service area, Goodwill Industries of Kentucky has helped over 400 with employment and career services.
“Goodwill is dedicated to providing older workers with the assistance they need to obtain current, in-demand job skills and training to secure employment today,” said Sonya Johnson, career services manager for SCSEP in Kentucky. “Since Goodwill’s inception, the revenue generated from the sale of donated items has helped fund job training programs and community services, including those that help older Americans find meaningful work.”
Today, more Americans are choosing to remain employed longer and retire later than the once-standard age of 65. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the number of older workers, aged 55 and older, is growing at a rate that outpaces the overall growth of the labor force. In fact, the U.S. BLS projects that the United States labor force will comprise 41 million people 55 and older by 2024, making up 25% of the total national workforce. Moreover, 150 million jobs will shift to workers over the age of 55 by 2030, according to a recent study by the National Skills Coalition. The evolving shift in demographics within the workforce presents an opportunity for employers to realize the potential and value that employing older workers can hold.
To learn more, visit https://goodwillky.org/scsep/
About Goodwill Industries of Kentucky
Goodwill Industries of Kentucky is a 100-year-old nonprofit organization that operates in 103 of Kentucky’s 120 counties. The organization is committed to using resources from its 67 retail stores to help build pathways out of poverty for individuals who need a hand up in life. In 2022, Goodwill helped place 2,368 Kentuckians into jobs with 877 of its employer partners and inside its own retail stores. Goodwill uses approximately 90 cents from every dollar generated in its retail stores to operate programs and services that help Kentucky’s hardest-to-serve job seekers build the life they desire.