Success Story

Seniors Stay on the Job Thanks to Goodwill

 Whether it’s because of financial necessity or a desire to stay active in the work world, many people opt to stay in the workforce well into their 60s and 70s. Yet, many of these individuals are faced with having to upgrade their skills or learn completely new skills to remain competitive.

"Older workers come to Goodwill because they do not think that the labor market values their potential contribution,” says Wendi Copeland, Vice President of Career Services for Goodwill Industries of Middle Georgia (Macon). “Many need the paycheck to supplement limited incomes, but most also love to work. It gives them purpose and keeps them intellectually, socially and physically active.”

Ida Ridley worked a company that makes wooden pallets and shipping crates for more than 10 years, walking to work every day, rain or shine. When the business closed its doors, Ridley was out of work for the first time in a long while. She was used to physically demanding positions and was not about to stop until she found a job that matched her energy. She had learned about Goodwill Industries through her daughter, Essie, a participant in Macon’s Goodworks! Program, which found Essie her very first job.

Ridley interviewed with Jack Flowers, Director of Contracts at the Macon Goodwill, for a custodial position. Flowers was impressed with Ridley’s work ethic and enthusiasm, and offered her the job that same day. The day of the interview was Ridley's 61st birthday. When Flowers asked Ridley if she had any problem with the interview falling on her birthday, she replied, “It may be my birthday today but my family has to eat tomorrow. I have no problem looking for a job on my birthday.”

Copeland maintains that individualized career services yield the best outcomes. For example, the Goodwill developed computer classes to meet the learning styles of older workers. Classes are designed to be open entry/open exit based on individual learning plans. This means that a student progresses at his or her own pace and receives the one-on-one attention needed to succeed in mastering new skills. Goodwill’s commitment to furthering the careers of older workers was recognized by the American Association of Retired Persons who nominated Goodwill as Employer of the Year in 2002.

Attention Seniors!
Local Goodwill agencies are seeing a greater diversity in the people they serve, including an increase in workers age 55+ seeking job training and other career support services that can help them re-enter the workforce. Because the types of services vary by Goodwill agency, visit www.goodwill.org to find the Goodwill nearest you to inquire about specific programs for older workers.