Lowering Employment Barriers

Older Workers

As the Baby Boom generation ages, people over 50 will become a greater and greater percentage of the workforce. More workers will reach retirement age with fewer younger workers to take their place.
Many industries in King County--such as education, health care and manufacturing--are already experiencing difficulty in filling positions as workers retire.

At the same time, workers over 50 are not all planning to retire. Employers will need to attract and retain these workers, who have different needs and goals.

The WDC is in the forefront of addressing these workforce issues.

ROW—Reinvesting in Older Workers

Computer training, starting a new business and entering high-demand career fields for workers over age 55 is the focus of Reinvesting in Older Workers (ROW).

The $1 million grant, three-year grant is one of just ten awarded nationwide by the U.S. Department of Labor. The project serves three groups of older workers in King and Snohomish counties: those with limited English ability, previous convictions or disabilities.

The funds provide staff who will work one-on-one with participants to help them get short-term training with regional college partners, followed by jobs in health care, information technology and “green” jobs.

The grant will also build the capacity of local community and technical colleges and the WorkSource system by developing courses tailored to serve these vulnerable older workers in training related to computers, entrepreneurship and “bridging” to green jobs.

Economic development and workforce development agencies, private companies, foundations, government agencies and colleges from both King and Snohomish counties are among the grant partners.


Other WDC Mature Worker Initiatives

  • Visit Employ Experience.com, the WDC's website to help employers attract and retain older workers.
  • Read the WDC's April 2006 report on The Aging Workforce.
  • The WDC participated in forming Next Chapter of Puget Sound, a nonprofit focusing on civic engagement, employment, lifelong learning and self-development for people over 50.
  • WorkSource Auburn Affilate offers a regular job-search workshop for older workers. To find the date and time, go to the WorkSource website. Under Workshop Search at the top right, enter Auburn as the location and "job search" as the workshop category.
  • WorkSource offers workshops, job clubs and hiring events for jobseekers. Visit Jobseeker Services on the WorkSource website for information.