Career Advice & News Center

As workers and job seekers prepare for the weekend on Friday, two new announcements from the government may give Americans, some of whom may be anxious for good news regarding the job market, a reason to celebrate.

Supplementing the Bureau of Labor Statistics report that the unemployment rate dropped in January for the time in months, Florida Governor Charlie Crist announced today that Florida received a federal grant totaling more than $2.9 million to help the state's seniors re-enter the workforce.

Made available through the Florida Department of Elder Affairs, the funding will specifically seek to aid Florida's low-income workers who are over the age of 55.

"This grant announcement comes at a time when older Floridians seeking jobs need it most," Crist commented. "Every older worker offers a lifetime of experience and perspective that is an asset to any employer."

State officials plan to use the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) to train elderly workers and place them in part-time community service positions before transitioning them to full-time jobs. The program is the only federally funded training initiative focused on the needs of low-income elderly Americans.

Last year, SCSEP helped more than 1,230 elderly Floridians improve their skill sets and marketability to the state's employers, and 160 workers were able to find permanent positions with local companies.

With the federal $2.9 million grant, SCSEP officials expect to serve an additional 200 citizens.

"Older Floridians have a tremendous amount to contribute to our state," said Elder Affairs Secretary E. Douglas Beach.

He added, "Older workers bring experience, dependability and maturity to their jobs, and these qualities benefit us all."

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Florida's unemployment rate at the end of 2009 was 11.6 percent, higher than the national rate of 10 percent.