Employment
The Employment issue area focuses on promoting meaningful employment opportunities for older adults by supporting employers in their efforts to design positions to address the needs and preferences of older workers, as well as providing increased access to job training opportunities.
Recommendations
Employment
Goal 7
Provide opportunities for meaningful work for older adults.
Objectives
- Increase communication between aging service providers and employers to share information about the benefits of an older work force and ways employers can manage a workforce of diverse ages.
- Increase the number of employers offering flexible work schedules, health benefits, new career choices, and other benefits that older adults seek.
Goal 8
Increase older adults' work-related skills through training.
Objectives
- Expand job training opportunities for older adults including offering assistance in adjusting to new technologies.
- Increase the enrollment of older adults in training programs such as the Michigan Works Service Centers and the Senior Community Service and Employment Program (SCSEP).
Work Group
Co-Chairs
- Beverly Drake - Area Community Services Employment and Training Council
- Priscilla Kimboko, Ph.D. - Grand Valley State University
Members
- Emilie Azkoul - St. Mary's Health Care
- Nora Barkey - Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
- Ginni Blanchard - RSVP Senior Neighbors
- Ralph Dick - Calvin Academy of Continued Learning (CALL)
- Sylvia Hopson - Area Community Services Employment & Training Council (ACSET)
- Jacquie Karr-Zlotnickie - Holland Home
- Helen Kinsworthy - Senior Leadership-Grand Rapids Community College
- Julie Lake - Brookcrest
- Kate Luckert - Grand Rapids Community Foundation
- Susan Morales-Barias - Heart of West Michigan United Way
- Alice O'Connor - Senior Leadership-Grand Rapids Community College
- Judy Palmer - Grand Forum-Grand Valley State University
- Bob Perl - Clark Retirement Community
- Sandy Purcell - AARP
- Carol Rienstra - Calvin Academy of Continued Learning (CALL)
- Jan Rosochacki - Grand Rapids Home for the Veterans
- Deb Snow - Advocates for Seniors
- Tolly Stiffler - Senior Leadership Grand Rapids
- Mary Jean Waddell - Calvin Academy of Continued Learning (CALL)
- Ingrid Weaver - Porter Hills Retirement Community
- Beth Zeldes - Senior Advisory Services