Experience Works offers jobs for seniors

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Karen Miller and Pamela Cox, employment and training coordinators for Experience Works, are seeking 55-plus year olds who are looking for work. Photo by Nita Johnson

April 9, 2012

Experience Works offers jobs for seniors

By Nita Johnson Staff Writer The Sentinel-Echo Mon Apr 09, 2012, 10:51 AM EDT

LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. — With consistently rising prices and long lines at unemployment offices, a regional organization offers hope to individuals age 55 or older.

Experience Works, formerly known as Green Thumb, is seeking persons ages 55 and older with limited household income for job training programs that will evolve into full time employment. Approximately 13 positions are currently available in Laurel County.

Karen Miller, coordinator for Experience Works program in 11 counties, said the program had undergone massive budget cuts last year but the freeze on those positions has recently been lifted.

“Our positions were frozen due to a 46 percent cut last July so we were forced to place a freeze on all hiring,” Miller said. “With the freeze being lifted, we are currently accepting applicants who meet the qualifications.”

Funded through the U.S. Department of Labor, Experience Works seeks seniors who are not currently employed and offers job training programs that will, hopefully, lead to full time employment. A non-profit organization, Experience Works recruits persons 55 years or older who undergo training at minimum wage for 18 to 20 hours per week. But the difference between Experience Works and its former Green Thumb program is the goal of Experience Works is to enable older persons to obtain jobs in the field of their particular interest.

“The change between the two programs is that we have become less community service oriented and more oriented toward the workforce,” Miller explained. “The ultimate goal of Experience Works is to get off the job training and into a job in the private sector.”

While Miller said the program boasts of a 50 percent success rate in that area, the hosts of the Experience Works clientele can be comprised of non-profit organizations qualifying under the 501C3 non-profit status, or even in government offices.

“We would like to have city, county, state and federal government offices who are interested in partnering with Experience Works to host participants. This is perfect for employers who are seeking a dependable and experienced person as an employee,” Miller added.

For more information about Experience Works, call their regional office in Beattyville toll free at 1-866-976-5939 or visit their website at www.experienceworks.org.

njohnson@sentinel-echo.com

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