Evansville Goodwill Program Helps Seniors 55+ Return to the Workforce

Evansville Goodwill Program Helps Seniors Reenter the Workforce

I pride myself on keeping up with the latest in social media technology, but there are some platforms I just can't get behind or have no desire to learn.

And who is going to teach me? My 13-year-old daughter? She's not even supposed to have some of those apps, but I have a feeling she'd figure them out much faster than I would.

That's just social media for fun.

Imagine being out of the workforce for several years and then trying to jump back in without any training on today's rapidly changing job market. That's the reality many adults age 55 and older face when they're ready to return to work.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of workers aged 65 or older has grown by 117% within 20 years. Employment of individuals 75 years or older has increased by 117%. For some, it's a necessity. They don't have adequate retirement savings to rely on and inflation just keeps growing. For others, it fulfills the social aspect of life, it keeps them sharp, and they just enjoy it. And then a small group will go back to work to pay for a big-ticket item or vacation.

Senior Employment Training in Evansville

Thankfully, Evansville Goodwill offers a program designed to help.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) provides training opportunities for unemployed adults age 55 and older who have low incomes. The program helps participants learn new job skills while gaining hands-on experience at public and nonprofit organizations throughout their communities.

Training sites may include housing agencies, food banks, libraries, schools, senior centers, and child care centers.

Paid Work Experience for Older Job Seekers

Participants receive paid work experience through Evansville Goodwill while building skills and confidence for their next career opportunity.

There are four career paths to choose from:

• Retail
• Clerical and Office
• Janitorial and Maintenance
• Food Service and Hospitality

The goal is to help older adults gain valuable experience, update their skills, and get back into the workforce.

How to Apply for the Senior Community Service Employment Program

Getting started is easy. All you have to do is visit the Evansville Senior Community Service Employment Program website and complete the pre-enrollment assessment. They can also contact their county's employment specialist directly.

Kentucky Counties: Henderson, Hopkins, and Daviess
Indiana Counties: Perry and Spencer

Alice Kasey
(812) 774-1121

Indiana County: Dubois
Illinois Counties: Brown, Clay, Crawford, Edwards, Hamilton, Jasper, Jefferson, Lawrence, Richland, Wabash, Wayne, and White

Teri Simmons
(618) 315-9969

Helping Seniors Build a Brighter Future

Whether someone has been out of the workforce for a few years or is looking for a fresh start later in life, programs like SCSEP provide the training, experience, and support needed to take that next step.

Because learning new skills at 55, 65, or even 75 should be a lot less intimidating than trying to figure out the latest social media app.