Mature workers face tough job market

Judy Turner, Robert Terry and the others walking in to notes of "Pomp and Circumstance" were not your typical graduates -- some were a little gray around the temples and some had grandchildren in the audience.

But an uncertain economy and dismal job prospects sent them back to class. Yesterday, they earned certificates for completing an 11-week job-skills program in which topics included everything from how to use a flash drive to dressing for interviews.

"Ten years ago it was seniors looking for something extra to do," said Linda Bracy, senior employment coordinator at Senior Connections -- The Capital Area Agency on Aging.

"Now they are looking for work so they can pay their mortgage, pay for their medicines," Bracy said at the ceremony at the East District Family Resource Center in Richmond.

Unemployment data suggest older people have a harder time finding jobs when they become unemployed.

Grant-funded programs such as those offered by Senior Connections are seeing the demand for their services increase.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program, which yesterday's participants are part of, helps low-income seniors find work. The program subsidizes their pay, up to 20 hours per week for 48 months, at local nonprofits.

Anyone 55 and older can sign up with a job registry of people looking for work, and that includes a session with an employment specialist.

Bracy said more than 500 people have registered already this year, compared with about 300 for all of last year.

With the program's help, Turner, 56, has found part-time work as an administrative assistant for a local magazine.

"I'm terrified," said Turner, who is raising a 12-year-old grandchild.

"I need a job, a real, unsubsidized job," she said. She has worked since she was 17, and whenever she lost a job before, she quickly found something else. But it has been three years and she's still looking for full-time work.

Many of the program participants were skeptical that they would learn anything, said MaryAlice Butler-Brown, 67, the instructor for the training program who is a former participant in the job program.

"This is 2009. Time is changing, and we need to change with it," said Gwendolyn L. Coles, who talked about learning to use Microsoft programs, including the new Microsoft Windows 7 computer operating system.

Barbara Winston said that in the past to get jobs, she usually just filled out an application and had an interview. "I don't care if you want to wash dishes these days, you have got to have more than you've got now," Winston said. -- Tammie Smith