TUCSON, Ariz. — Getting a new job can come with its challenges, but those 50-years-old and older face different challenges when finding their way back to work.
Back to Work 50+ helps job seekers aged 50 and older find employment, while it also partners with local employers who hiring.
"And to promote diversity in the workforce. We're not here just to say you've got to hire mature workers. Hire us on a level playing field. And I'm a very strong believer that diversity in the workforce serves the community, serves the job seeker and, certainly, the employer as well,” said Roger Forrester, the program coordinator of Back to Work 50+.
Starting in 2014, Forrester says he and his colleagues wanted to make sure those 50 and older had the resources they needed to get back to work.
"In many cases, they desperately need to work. And I think they felt that people really didn't care that much about them. Their employers didn't care about them because of their age. And so they wouldn't take the first step to really look for a job,” said Forrester.
And along with this demographic needing jobs, Forrester found local employers needed employees to fill key openings. All of the services the program provides are free, such as, one-on-one job coaching, job search skills training, computer training, and employers relations services.
"And once people are job-ready, we provide one-on-one job placement services to our local employers that we partner with," said Forrester.
Back to Work 50+ is funded by the AARP Foundation. To learn more about how you can participate in Back to Work 50+, call (855) 850-2525.
Also with Pima Community College, in-state resident who are 55 or older receive a 50-percent discount on credit courses.
More Workforce Development programs:
- Business Development
- Center for Training and Development
- Center for Transportation Training
- State and Federal Prison Programs
- Pima for Youth and more.
