Pa. Department of Aging Seeks Nominations for Champions of Older Workers Award

HARRISBURG, Pa., Sept. 24, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is soliciting nominations for the annual Champions of Older Workers award, which honors employers that recognize and value the talents of the state's older workforce.

"Our older workers are a valuable resource for employers and the communities they reside in," said Department of Aging Secretary Brian Duke . "As our population ages, studies show there will be a shortfall in the number of people needed in the workforce, particularly in areas of transportation, manufacturing and healthcare.  Older workers will play a significant role in filling those gaps."

The award is sponsored by the Department of Aging. Letters of notification were sent to the Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), National Senior Community Service Employment Program providers in the state, Local Workforce Investment Boards, Pennsylvania CareerLinks and the General Assembly. Individuals and businesses are also welcome to submit nominations. 

One employer will be chosen to be placed in Pennsylvania's Hall of Fame of Champions of Older Workers in recognition of its efforts to hire and train older members of the workforce. 

Last year's Hall of Fame of Champions of Older Workers award winner was Lowe's Home Improvement in Schuylkill County.

Nomination forms are available on the department's website: www.aging.state.pa.us/.

Deadline for submission of nominees is Dec. 7, 2012.  The winner will be honored on May 9, 2013 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center.

Media contact: Christina Reese , 717-783-1549

Editors note:
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry estimates that between 2015 and 2029, more than 2.37 million people are expected to leave the labor force while only 2.02 million are expected to enter it.

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Aging

RELATED LINKS
http://www.state.pa.us