Erda, Eastern Maine Medical Center and Mathews Brothers Win Silver Collar Awards

September 16, 2013

For Immediate Release: September 16, 2013
Contact: Julie Rabinowitz, 621-5009

*Senior-Friendly Businesses Recognized during Employ Older Workers Week *

AUGUSTA?The State Workforce Investment Board?s Older Workers Committee has announced Maine?s best employers for workers over the age of 50 for 2013.

The awardees are Erda, a leather goods manufacturer in Cambridge; Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor; and Mathews Brothers, a window manufacturing company in Belfast.

?I congratulate Erda, EMMC and Mathews Brothers, not only as exceptional Maine companies, but also model employers for older workers,? said Governor Paul R. LePage. ?Our state needs and values the contributions of all members of our workforce, no matter their age, and the Silver Collar Awards recognize this.?

These three Silver Collar employers will be honored during National Employ Older Workers Week, September 23 through 27, 2013.

Currently, 46 percent of Maine?s private industry workers and almost 62 percent of government workers are at least 45-years-old. Within the next 20 years, at least 40 percent of the current workforce for most sectors will be 65 or older.

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.

The State Workforce Investment Board (SWIB) is responsible for assisting Governor LePage in improving the state?s business climate by designing and implementing strategies that help Mainers enter the workforce as well as advance by increasing their skills. For more information about the SWIB or workforce development, visit http://www.maine.gov/swib/ .

-end-