Nominations Due for Senior-Friendly Businesses

July 17, 2013

Silver Collar Award Deadline July 24

For Immediate Release: July 17, 2013
Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 621-5009

AUGUSTA?Do you know of a senior-friendly business? Is your business a great place for seniors to work? The State Workforce Investment Board?s Older Workers Committee is looking for Maine?s best employers for workers over the age of 50. The entry deadline for the Silver Collar Award is July 24, 2013.

The Silver Collar Employer Award honors employers whose policies and practices match the needs of mature employees, capturing their skills and experience, strong work ethic, flexibility and enthusiasm.

?Older workers bring experience and a strong work ethic to businesses,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?Maine?s older citizens play an increasingly critical role in our economy. Businesses that recognize this will have a competitive advantage in the marketplace for both workers and customers.?

Businesses may self-nominate. The Older Workers Committee will consider a business? flexible work options, training and development opportunities, pension and health benefits and age-neutral policies and practices. Silver Collar employers will be honored during National Employ Older Workers Week, September 23?27, 2013.

The nomination form is available at http://www.maine.gov/swib/committees/older_workers/index.shtml . Employers or anyone with questions should contact the State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) at swib.dol@maine.gov or 207-623-7985.

Recipients of the 2013 Silver Collar Employer Award will be highlighted to future employees, consumers and the business community through Maine?s CareerCenters, on a variety of websites and in press releases to local newspapers and industry journals.

For more information about the SWIB or workforce development, visit http://www.maine.gov/swib/ .

-end-