Atlantic Philanthropies Commits $3.6 Million to Aging Worker Initiative

The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a $3.6 million commitment from Atlantic Philanthropies in support of its efforts to connect older Americans with career opportunities.

The funds will provide additional support for grantees of the DOL’s Aging Worker Initiative: Strategies for Regional Talent Development (AWI), which is designed to train workers age 55 and older for jobs in high-growth, high-demand industries and increase the capacity of the public workforce system to effectively serve an aging worker population. The DOL recently awarded grants of $1 million each through the initiative to ten organizations targeting older individuals who are seeking re-employment; need to stay in the workforce beyond the traditional retirement age but need training to increase their skills; and face other barriers to employment such as disabilities or low levels of English proficiency.

As part of its investment in AWI, Atlantic will support the formation of the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning and the Council on Competitiveness, which will provide assistance to the grantees and document and disseminate effective strategies to promote career opportunities for older workers.

“In the wake of the economic downturn, the impact of the Aging Worker Initiative is all the more important,” said Atlantic Philanthropies senior vice president Marcia Smith. “This effort will create opportunities for older adults to work, support themselves and their families, and contribute to the reinvigoration of their local economies.”

For a list of recent AWI grantees, visit the Department of Labor Web site.

“U.S. Department of Labor Awards $10 Million to Train Older Workers for Jobs in Growing Industries.” U.S. Department of Labor Press Release 7/30/09.