Times are tough, jobs are scarce, and if you’re a low-income senior who needs training to go back to work there is a program that can help.

The Alabama Department of Senior Services has partnered with Area Agencies on Aging statewide to administer the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).

Through this job training program, men and women age 55 and over who face challenges finding employment are placed in subsidized training positions with government and non-profit organizations who serve the needs of the local community. The training and experience received through these agencies enables seniors to exit the program and find permanent employment. In recognition of this program, Gov. Robert Bentley has proclaimed the week of September 23-29 Employ the Older Worker Week.

According to recent data provided by the Department of Industrial Relations Labor Market Information Division, nearly one in five of all workers in Alabama are 55 and older. In this climate, it is not surprising to find more and more employers focusing on hiring older workers.

Although mature workers have much to offer, many face challenges to finding employment as their prior work experience becomes outdated. The lingering effects of the recession continue to make it difficult for mature workers to find employment. In the Senior Community Service Employment Program, seniors develop new skills that help them compete in today’s job market, while local communities benefit from the services they provide in their community service training positions, and local employers benefit from a dependable, well-trained pool of candidates for employment.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. SCSEP is an equal employment opportunity program.

The program is available in Montgomery. For more in formation on SCSEP, call (334) 242-5754.

This article was submitted by the Alabama Department of Senior Services.