“We can place them in non-profit organizations at 20 hours a week, for job training. We pay them the federal minimum wage,” stated Fox. Some of the seniors find jobs where they train or the organization helps them find work in the private sector.
“Currently, in Bell County, we have six openings to place individuals in right now. We do have an income criteria. They have to be an individual with a limited income, but there are some incomes we don't count, so we have to talk with them to find out if it is income we would include,” Fox said.
“We are required to place at least 30 percent of the people we serve into jobs off the program, and we also are required to serve a certain amount of people,” said Kent Kahn, Communications Specialist, for Experience Works. “In this county (Bell), right now we have six positions and they are vacant,” he stated.
Six to eight people are needed from Bell County for the program. Workers will determine how long the individuals will be on the program. “They are on the job for six months to two years. They have gotten new job skills to make them employable,” stated Kahn.
Once those who start the program find jobs, Experience Works begins looking for more trainable workers to take the place of those now working.
It is to the benefit of those being trained to obtain work in the private sector as the federal program does not provide benefits such as insurance, vacations or sick-leave.
“We work with people who have never held down a job. We work with city and county governments and place people in offices such as the mayor's office or one of the utility offices. We can put men at the county road garage. There are a lot of good mechanics out there,” Fox said.
“People 55 and older have a wealth of experience that employers need to tap into, and they are very dependable, and that is one thing employers are looking for, right now.
“People that will show up everyday for work. People who know how to work and have a good work ethic. They know how to dress for the job.
“They are good for the customers. They have good manners. Good communication skills, and that is what employers are looking for, someone that will bring back repeat business, and that is what our senior workers do,” added Fox.
Those interested in starting work under the Senior Community Service Employment Program may contact Fox, in Somerset, toll free at 1-877-820-5939 or karen_fox@experienceworks.org
C.J. Harte is a correspondent for the Daily News. He can be reached via e-mail at: charte@middlesborodailynews.com.
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