Local Employers Honored for Hiring Older Workers

HYANNIS – The MassHire Cape and Islands Workforce Board recognized three local employers Tuesday for their work to recruit and retain older workers.

The Age Forward Employer Recognition Program, which launched earlier this summer, presented its inaugural awards to clothing retailer Cupcake International, The Dennis Council on Aging and Orleans Auto Supply during a breakfast ceremony at the Resort and Conference Center in Hyannis.

Nominations for the awards were solicited from customers, employees and business owners. The nominees were then asked to complete a questionnaire detailing their personnel practices in areas important to older workers, including scheduling, benefits, training and retirement.

Dick Fairbanks, the owner of Orleans Auto Supply, says anyone is welcome to help the business sell more parts than it did the previous year.

“If you have the attitude and the ability to get along with others and the energy and physical capability to help us with that, let’s have a talk,” Fairbanks said. “We don’t care if you are tall, short, old or young. If you help us with our project we think the world of you and look for a way to include you.”

Over 30 percent of the Cape and Islands Workforce is made up of workers over the age of 55 – with that percentage expected to grow.

Workforce Board executive director David Augustinho says employers may need to turn to older workers due to the low unemployment and labor shortage.

“We promoted the hiring of older workers and I think that we had some effect,” said David Augustinho, the executive director of MassHire Cape and Islands Workforce Board. “Now with our current committee, we’re looking to continue to raise awareness for employers in this region of the value of older workers.”

Barnstable County is one of the oldest counties in the country and Augustinho said the older population is a resource that should be utilized.

“One of the hallmarks of aging now is that people are not only living longer, but they are living healthier,” Augustinho said.

Augustinho said not all jobs are appropriate for older workers but most are.

Olga Yulikova, the Senior Community Employment Manager for the Executive Office of Elder Affairs, said the employers who recognize the value of older workers give those individuals a sense of meaning and a sense of self.