What’s being done to create more reasonably paid jobs for older Arizonans? One KJZZ listener asked and as part of the Q&AZ reporting series.
Alex Juarez, with AARP Arizona, says age discrimination is an issue facing many older adults — which is why AARP created an Employer Pledge Program.
"We have approximately 1,000 organization or employers that have signed the AARP pledge to commit to ensure workers of all ages are given real opportunities," he said.
And recently, McDonald’s announced a collaboration with AARP to fill about 250,000 jobs nationwide.
AARP Arizona also has partnered with Pima Community College to sponsor a program called Back To Work At 50, which helps older workers rejoin the work force. The state of Arizona also has a mature worker program that provides on the job training.
Cathy Chavez oversees Arizona’s Mature Worker Services, which is geared toward older workers who might have skill gaps, are not English proficient or live in rural areas.
"And we place them into what we call a host agency, which is a not for profit or government agency and they actually on the job train, so they’re not employees of these agencies or these places but they’re taught the skills and treated like employees and they’re paid through the federal funds that are provided through the grant," said Chavez.
