I Am Empowered - I am the National Urban League

What is the Mature Worker Program?

The Mature Worker Program (MWP) is a community service employment training program. Formerly known as the Senior Community Service Employment Program, MWP provides job training, counseling, job placement and supportive services to workers who are 55 and older. The goals are to help older workers overcome barriers to employment and re-enter the labor market, to create opportunities for community service, and to foster individual economic self-sufficiency.

Participants are placed in a wide variety of subsidized community service positions at non-profit and public facilities, including day care centers, senior centers, governmental agencies, schools, hospitals, libraries and landscaping centers. These positions are training assignments designed to provide skills that enable participants to obtain unsubsidized employment. Additional training through lectures, seminars, one-on-one instruction, training programs, or community colleges may also be provided.

Click here for Frequently Asked Questions

Benefits of the program include:

• Community Benefits - the program adds manpower at public and non-profit agencies, allowing them to enhance and provide needed services to their community
• Participant Benefits - Individual Employment Plan, orientation, community service training placement, specialized training, supportive services, training wages, fringe benefits, annual physicals, assistance in securing unsubsidized employment, and access to local One-Stop Career Centers.

How big is it?

In 2010, over 1,400 mature workers participated at six locations.  In 2011, we aim to double the percentage who obtain job placements, add additional training sites, and increase the enrollment of those with special needs (veterans, homeless, substance abuse) by 50%.

What have Mature Worker participants achieved?

Deborah’s on-the-job training led to full-time unsubsidized employment as an Administrative Assistant while she continues to work towards her educational goals. 

Read More

 

From the beginning, Glenn was clear about how MWP could support him and what he wanted to do for his life’s work as a substance abuse/mental health counselor so he was assigned to Sobriety House as a counselor trainee. 

Read More
 

 

Despite a history of incarceration, Donald landed a high-tech instructor job at $25 per hour. 

Read More

 

	Gerald not only won battles against depression and homelessness, but also mastered his training assignments and was hired by the NJ Department of Labor. Read More
	Rachel Conners enrolled in the Mature Worker Program as a participant  January 26, 2010.  Rachel wants to run her own nonprofit to serve children; she’s learning a lot from her non-profit placement.   Read More

 

U.S. Department of Labor

How can I get help?

To apply for services, contact the project office in the county nearest you to arrange an appointment. Click here to learn more about applying for and participating in the Mature Worker Program. The National Urban League’s Mature Worker Program has offices in six states that serve the counties listed:

Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts
Massachusetts (Norfolk and Suffolk counties)
http://www.ulem.org/mature-workers-program-mwp

Urban League of Detroit and Southeastern Michigan
Michigan (Macomb, Oakland, Wayne counties)
http://www.deturbanleague.org/index.html

Urban League of Essex County
New Jersey (Essex county)
http://www.ulec.org/programs/matureworker.html

Westchester County Urban League
Long Island, New York (Nassau and Suffolk counties)

Urban League of Greater Cincinnati
Ohio (Green, Montgomery, Preble, Warren counties)
http://www.gcul.org/index.php/programs1/jobs/

Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania (Allegheny county)
http://www.ulpgh.org/programs.asp

If your state or county is not listed above, call the Department of Labor’s toll free number, 1-877-US2-JOBS (TTY: 1-877-889-5627). You may also benefit from contacting the local One-Stop Career Center in your area. One-Stop Career Centers provide a full range of services for job seekers and employers. The U.S. Department of Labor provides this information at 1-877-US-2JOBS (1-877-872-5627).

In addition to the National Urban League, a number of other organizations sponsor similar programs known as Senior Community Service Employment Programs. Click here for a national list with contact information.