FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 16, 2010
CONTACT:
AARP Media Relations, media@aarp.org, 202-434-2560
AARP EXPANDS CAREER RESOURCES FOR OLDER WORKERS
Sponsors 48 Career Fairs in 19 High Unemployment States
Washington, DC – In an effort to step up its drive to assist workers 50+ struggling during this time of high unemployment around the country, AARP is sponsoring multiple career fairs specifically designed to help mature job seekers in 2010. AARP will sponsor 48 career fairs in 19 states—including a special event in Atlanta on March 22—which have high unemployment rates of 10 percent or more for older workers.
The “Helping Experience Work@50+” events are free, and will offer workshops on promoting yourself at 50+, emphasizing tips and techniques for success in a competitive job market. Career counseling will be available to assist job seekers in assessing their skills to identify the best employment opportunities. Participants also will have the chance to interact with employers with job openings, as well as access to an internet café, where they can post resumes. AARP will sponsor booths at each event, promoting free online resources that provide important tips and tools to help older workers succeed in their job search.
“AARP recognizes that millions of older Americans are trying to stay employed or get back on the job for a variety of reasons,” said Deborah Russell, AARP Director of Workforce Issues. “Older workers continue to face difficult challenges in today’s economic downturn. Many retirees have been forced back into the job market, due to decimated retirement nest eggs and skyrocketing health care costs.
“AARP is sponsoring numerous career fairs, as well as creating resources and other offerings to assist older workers who need jobs for their health and financial security,” Russell added.
The announcement of new career fairs across the nation comes as high unemployment persists among older workers. The AARP Public Policy Institute recently reported that the February unemployment rate for age 55+ workers remained higher than in any month since the late 1940s. In addition, 55+ unemployed workers spend a longer time that other groups looking for work, with an average of 35.6 weeks.
AARP is hosting the career fairs in collaboration with The Employment Guide, a leading national marketing services company that sponsors job fairs nationwide. Job seekers may register for specific fairs at www.aarp.org/realrelief or call toll-free 1-888-321-5349. Participating employers, which must have job openings available at the time of the event, will include members of AARP’s National Employer Team, clients of the Employment Guide and other companies targeting boomers and older job seekers for job openings.
AARP maintains a variety of programs to help workers 50+. In addition to career fairs, AARP conducts web-based seminars for job seekers; sponsors the National Employer Team, which connects job seekers with employers; honors Best Employers for Workers Over 50; and, offers online job counseling. In addition, the AARP Foundation provides a variety of direct services to help mature workers at or below the median income through its WorkSearch website. For more information on the programs mentioned above, please visit www.aarp.org/realrelief.
About AARP
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.7 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
30-30-30
A list* of Dates, Cities and States for Helping Experience Work@50+ follows:
03/16/2010
OH
Dayton
03/17/2010
NV
Las Vegas
03/22/2010
GA
Atlanta
03/23/2010
OH
Cincinnati
03/24/2010
IN
Indianapolis
03/24/2010
MO
St. Louis
03/24/2010
TN
Memphis
03/26/2010
OH
Cleveland
03/30/2010
OH
Columbus
03/31/2010
KY
Louisville
04/01/2010
AZ
Phoenix
04/06/2010
IL
Chicago
04/06/2010
NC
Raleigh
04/12/2010
NY
Manhattan
04/13/2010
MI
Detroit
04/14/2010
TN
Nashville
04/21/2010
FL
Orlando
04/28/2010
FL
Jacksonville
05/04/2010
NV
Las Vegas
05/11/2010
DC
Washington
05/18/2010
WA
Seattle
06/08/2010
CA
Sacramento
06/09/2010
IL
Chicago
06/15/2010
NC
Winston Salem
06/16/2010
MO
St. Louis
07/21/2010
OH
Akron
08/03/2010
GA
Atlanta
08/10/2010
OR
Portland
08/24/2010
FL
Tampa
08/24/2010
NC
Charlotte
08/25/2010
MI
Detroit
09/01/2010
AZ
Phoenix
09/02/2010
TN
Nashville
09/07/2010
WA
Seattle
09/14/2010
KY
Louisville
09/14/2010
NV
Las Vegas
09/21/2010
OH
Dayton
09/22/2010
OH
Cincinnati
09/29/2010
OH
Columbus
10/01/2010
OH
Cleveland
10/05/2010
DC
Washington
11/02/2010
CA
Sacramento
11/02/2010
OR
Portland
*Dates and locations as of March 5, 2010
