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Job Opportunities for Seniors

With a growing population of retirees and senior citizens, Grant County is hoping to put some of their experience and skills to good use by promoting part-time jobs and job sharing for those who want to continue working.

A Senior Workforce Committee has been organized to bring interested seniors and business representatives together to discuss challenges and opportunities.

Lawrence McCallin of the Silver City office of the Department of Workforce Solutions, formerly the Department of Labor, facilitates meetings on this topic.

“The purpose is to get input on how to work with seniors. How to get them work and to work with employers to interface and allow job sharing and part-time work,” McCallin said.

Frank Kenney, Senior Services Director assisted with the proclamation that ultimately designated the week of September 24-28 as “Employ an Older Worker Week.”

“I’ve seen a lot of seniors move into Silver City who are looking for meaningful work and to be challenged by their work,” Kenney said. “Many of them volunteer for activities through the RSVP volunteer services.”

Sam Terry of the TeleperformanceUSA call center said the company has just begun to hire part-time workers for 25 hours a week with benefits.

“We can work around schedules,” Terry said. “All they really need are basic computer skills, and we train them.”

“With this program, they will have seniors with work ethics and skills,” McCallin said.

Mitch Hellman, co-owner with Starr Belsky of Alotta Gelato, said he has 1.5 employees with flexible hours.

“I don’t see a problem as long as the job gets done,” Hellman said. “If it works and you have employees that are happy with the arrangement, then it’s beneficial.”

Connie Hostetler, who coordinates senior issues for the Grant County Community Health Council, said her group advocates for seniors. She suggested challenging each health council sector to come up with possible jobs.

Hellman said seniors have to understand the Social Security parameters if they are younger than full-retirement age but taking Social Security.

Regardless, this is a community-built program structured to benefit active seniors and local businesses.

For more information on the senior work force initiative, contact McCallin at (575) 538-3737.