Agency matches seniors with job training
By BARRY HALVORSON news@leader-news.com

Older Americans still have a lot to contribute to the nation's workforce and the Experience Works Program is working to match those individuals with host agencies willing to provide them with the proper training to move back into the private sector.

Now available in Wharton County and sharing space at the Work Source, Experience Works is part of the Senior Community Service Employment Program - SCSEP - the only federal program designed to help older people get back into the workforce through community service.

"One of the selling points of our program is that a lot of people are now looking to hire older, more dependable employees if they have the job skills to fit the position they're trying to fill," Joyce Patton said.

Patton is the Experience Works coordinator for a five county region including Wharton County. Her assistant for the Wharton and Matagorda area is Faye Jackson.

While there are several programs designed to assist more experienced workers, Experience Works concentrates its efforts in more rural counties.

The history of the program dates back to the Lyndon Johnson presidency and his "War on Poverty." The first program of its kind was Green Thumb Inc., formed in 1965 and which became Experience Works. It offered farmers employment on highway beautification projects.

She added those needs continue to be most prevalent in communities classified as rural areas.

"So many of the people in those counties, and that includes Wharton County, have incomes that place them below the national poverty level," she said. "And that is forcing people to have to come out of retirement."

Because the program started out as part of the War on Poverty, in addition to age limitations - you must be older than 55 - participants have to also meet certain income guidelines. But Patton said that shouldn't discourage people from applying.

"It is open to people with an annual family income not more than 125 percent of the established federal poverty income guidelines," she said. "But the way the rules are written, not all income counts. We can help you determine if your income will qualify you for participation in the program."

In discussing the local situation, Jackson said Experience Works is being under utilized by both older adults needing jobs and by potential host agencies.

A host agency is either a private nonprofit organization (other than a political party) that is tax exempt or a public agency operated by a unit of government. As an example, Jackson said she is trying to place someone with the Wharton County Public Library but is waiting for final arrangements to be completed.

"In Wharton County, we need more host agencies and we aren't getting them," she said. "But we also need more people signed up so when the agencies are ready, we have people to place with them."

In addition to the possible library posting, others currently taking advantage of getting a free employee locally include the Wharton Chamber of Commerce, Wharton Economic Development Corporation, Department of Human Services, Wharton County Junior College and the Work Source.

She added some agencies that might qualify but haven't contacted them include public schools, hospitals and various state and county governmental offices. Federal agencies are not allowed to participate although agencies receiving federal funding can be a part.

Patton said in addition to being a non-profit, the host agency also has to be willing to guarantee an employee a minimum of 20 hours a week employment and be willing to consider hiring the individual on a full-time basis if an opening becomes available.

"We want to try and cycle people through these positions," Patton said. "The idea is to get them trained to a certain level and then move them to unsubsidized jobs, either with the same company or in the private sector. That way, we can continue to offer our services to people. It isn't designed to be a permanent position."

Patton said participants are screened for skills and interests. That information is used to match them with a host willing to offer a training position.

"We pay them minimum wage during the training period," Patton said. "The person might not have the exact skills needed, but are willing to be trained to suit the job."

As an example of the kind of potential employees they are working with, Patton said she has a retired nurse with limited computer skills she is looking to match with someone who will train her in various word processing and spread sheet programs.

"A lot of the people we are working with are between ages of 55 and 62 that currently have no job," Patton said. "A lot of them currently have no income because social security isn't paying them and most pensions don't start paying out until they turn 65. Then we have those who are 65 or older and social security is not enough to cover their living expenses. So we pay them minimum wage, they get the training and the host agency gets a free employee."

In addition to the training the host can provide, Patton said the program can also match its participants with additional training, either through free programs offered in the community or by providing tuition assistance for college or other training programs.

One of the most requested supplemental training courses is for computer skills.

"The training being sought depends on the person and their educational background," Patton said. "Some of the most in demand areas our participants are looking for include clerical, health care, drivers and maintenance/ custodial. But there are hardly any jobs left that don't require some computer skills and we want people to be prepared.

"In addition, we can arrange for other support services."