Proposal Presented for the Master Plan For Aging (#24)
Disclaimer
Throughout the MPA process, more than 100 proposals were developed thanks in particular to thousands of hours of work by external stakeholders and members of the public. These proposals and the MPA Council commentary are being submitted to the Governor and shared with policymakers and the public to inform policymaking. These proposals represent a starting point for discussion. Further discussion is necessary between relevant state agencies and stakeholders to both refine these proposals and assess which may be appropriate to adopt and implement.
Summary
Consider budgetary and regulatory actions that would expand workforce development services and job training for older adults, building on efforts such as DOL’s now concluded Workforce Development Initiative to better maintain and find employment and/or start encore careers.
Justification
Older adults have a specific pattern of disconnection from the workforce that needs to be addressed. Older workers are overrepresented amongst discouraged workers and workers over 50 who become unemployed. They are more likely to become unemployed long-term. Many older New Yorkers need or want to remain in the workforce and in areas of the state with fewer younger workers, retaining older adults in the workforce is essential in maintaining services and infrastructure. DOL is already creating an office for older adults within their office. It needs to be funded to add staff, develop and promote programming.
Full Proposal
Expand workforce development services and job training for older adults through DOL’s Workforce Development Initiative so they can maintain and find employment and/or start encore careers. Place focus on ensuring existing and future workforce training initiatives work for older adults. Existing and new programs would be promoted to raise awareness and barriers that inhibit promotion.
- Fund DOL’s Office for Older Workers to improve its ability to support older New Yorker’s ability to stay engaged, active, working, and volunteering. Utilize existing and future training initiatives through the Office for Older Workers, expand workforce development services, such as those previously supported through DOL’s Workforce Development Initiative, to encourage maintenance of employment or creation of second careers, and promote existing and new programs to raise awareness about employment and engagement options.
- Support DOL with programming and resources to workers to find out what would be helpful in offering skills training and opportunities. Specialized needs training should be designed for current workers and provided in accessible ways to accommodate adult workers, giving them skills to be more competitive in labor force.
- Employers would be educated on accommodations/flexibility to allow older workers with health needs to continue to work (i.e., the development of flexible roles). Employers would also be educated on caregiver responsibilities and the need for flexibilities. Technology training would be made available to older adults and availability should be promoted.
- Job developers/recruiters should be inclusive of older adults and build relationships with employers by recommending older adults.
MPA Council Commentary
While the Workforce Development Initiative at the DOL has concluded, implementation of this proposal could be pursued through a variety of mechanisms (e.g., expanding services through DOL’s career centers). Components 1 and 2 of this proposal are categorized as near-term. Implementation of these components might require a State funding allocation for the Office for Older Workers and would benefit from the development of a partnership between NYSOFA and DOL, for example to inform skills training efforts. Proposed metrics for evaluating implementation success would need to be developed, and could include improved awareness of employment, engagement options, and number of second careers created. Components 3 and 4 of this proposal are categorized as long-term. Policymakers may reference this proposal during the legislative session, as these components would require statutory changes for implementation. Any funding would be subject to the annual budget process and the availability of resources.