The Senior Community Service Employment program held its graduation on Thursday at the Waterfront Grille in the village of Herkimer.
Program goals involve providing training for seniors interested in gaining skills required to become qualified members of the workforce.
A total of 18 seniors who partook in job training and employment assistance through the program will now be seeking employment, according to Velma Smith, senior executive director.
Since the federal funds budgeted for these services allows for minimal paid employees, there is a heavy reliance on the seniors doubling as both participants and program staff.
“After finishing, many wind up being employed at the program,” said Smith.
Linda Kay is an example, as a past participant, who in a little over a year is supervising 10 staff seniors, according to Smith.
Smith said the program’s promotion of pathways to economic self-sufficiency for older individuals is a very important service that needs to be recognized and acknowledged.
Richard J. Reich, program director of training and employment for 13 counties including Herkimer, explained the local branch has been in operation since 2006, but the National Council on Aging has been conducting the service for 40 years.
“It’s being rediscovered all the time,” he said.
Events such as the graduation, which featured a luncheon and canal cruise, increase visibility for the growing program locally, according to Smith, “I wanted people to see what we do.”
The Senior Community program believes that older workers provide a valuable resource to meet the needs of a 21st-century workforce, according to information distributed by Rural Opportunities, Inc. New York Division at the luncheon.
The 2007-08 graduates on Thursday spanned Herkimer, Jefferson and Lewis counties and are as follows:
Philip Argus, Elizabeth Breen, John Durney, Ronald Ferguson, Doris, Hadley, Sadie Headley, Barbara Hollenbeck, Jean Hopkins, Linda Kay, Connie Kieffer, Eric Konefal, Mary Lonis, Janette Maxian, Bonnie Parks, William Sparling, Harold Vincent, John Webb.
Barbara Hollenbeck and Assemblyman Marc Butler served as the guest speakers.
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The Senior Community Service Employment program held its graduation on Thursday at the Waterfront Grille in the village of Herkimer.
Program goals involve providing training for seniors interested in gaining skills required to become qualified members of the workforce.
A total of 18 seniors who partook in job training and employment assistance through the program will now be seeking employment, according to Velma Smith, senior executive director.
Since the federal funds budgeted for these services allows for minimal paid employees, there is a heavy reliance on the seniors doubling as both participants and program staff.
“After finishing, many wind up being employed at the program,” said Smith.
Linda Kay is an example, as a past participant, who in a little over a year is supervising 10 staff seniors, according to Smith.
Smith said the program’s promotion of pathways to economic self-sufficiency for older individuals is a very important service that needs to be recognized and acknowledged.
Richard J. Reich, program director of training and employment for 13 counties including Herkimer, explained the local branch has been in operation since 2006, but the National Council on Aging has been conducting the service for 40 years.
“It’s being rediscovered all the time,” he said.
Events such as the graduation, which featured a luncheon and canal cruise, increase visibility for the growing program locally, according to Smith, “I wanted people to see what we do.”
The Senior Community program believes that older workers provide a valuable resource to meet the needs of a 21st-century workforce, according to information distributed by Rural Opportunities, Inc. New York Division at the luncheon.
The 2007-08 graduates on Thursday spanned Herkimer, Jefferson and Lewis counties and are as follows:
Philip Argus, Elizabeth Breen, John Durney, Ronald Ferguson, Doris, Hadley, Sadie Headley, Barbara Hollenbeck, Jean Hopkins, Linda Kay, Connie Kieffer, Eric Konefal, Mary Lonis, Janette Maxian, Bonnie Parks, William Sparling, Harold Vincent, John Webb.
Barbara Hollenbeck and Assemblyman Marc Butler served as the guest speakers.
