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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Older Adult Employment Strategy Assessment Project

New initiative aims to connect older workers with labour and skills shortages opportunities

Apr 6, 2023 | 1:09 PM

A local initiative has been launched to help connect older workers with businesses experiencing labour challenges.

The Older Adult Employment Strategy Assessment Project lead by The Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre in partnership with The Red Deer and District Chamber of Commerce aims to identify and explore the employment challenges and opportunities for older adults (aged +55) and the needs of employers facing a shortage of skilled, experienced, and available labour in Central Alberta.

“In the past year, we’ve seen an increase in older adults seeking employment and looking for resources and support,” says Amber Mack, Executive Director of the Golden Circle Senior Resource Centre. “For a variety of reasons, older adults are needing to either stay in or rejoin the workforce and oftentimes face barriers to employment.”

To increase the opportunity and accessibility of employment for older adults, officials say it is essential to identify and address the gap between what older adults and employers currently experience in their search for employment and employees, and what they both want and need for the future.

“One of the biggest issues facing our businesses here in the Red Deer Region is a shortage of skilled and experienced, available labour, ” commented Scott Robinson, CEO Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce. In our view this project will help us understand how best to connect older workers to the businesses who need their help and expertise”.

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Officials says the project includes an online survey, interviews and focus groups dedicated to engaging both older adults and employers. The survey will be released April 6, with dates for focus groups to follow, and will run until June 16, 2023.

“Over the last three years there has been a lot of discussion surrounding the vulnerability of older adults in society, versus a focus on the resilience of older adults and a positive framing of the aging process. We hope to change that narrative,” says Amber Mack.

Officials say funding is provided in part by The Province of Alberta who is working in partnership with the Government of Canada to provide employment support programs and services. The gap analysis and final reporting at the end of The Older Adult Employment Strategy Assessment Project is expected to inform future programming and directions.