CHAMPIONS FOR OLDER WORKERS SOUGHT

HARRISBURG, OCT. 4 – State Sen. Connie Williams announced that applications are now being accepted for the 22^nd Annual Hall of Fame of Champions of Older Workers.

"This award is designed to honor Pennsylvania employers who have made efforts to hire workers who are 65 or older," Williams said. "Older Pennsylvanians have a multitude of talents to share with an employer and with their community. Older workers can add years of experience to any work team and are great role models for younger workers."

Nominations for the awards are being accepted by the Department of Aging and the Department of Labor and Industry. The award program is open to any employer (large or small) who has actively worked to recruit older workers, developed opportunities and training, provided flexible schedules, promoted older workers from within, or generally made accommodations for a mature workforce.

Applications are due on or before Dec. 1, 2006. One large employer (100 or more employees) and one small employer (under 100 employees) will be selected and honored during an awards presentation in Hershey next May.

To obtain a nomination form, employers should contact one of Pennsylvania's 52 Area Agencies on Aging or visit the Department of Aging's Web site at www.aging.state.pa.us.