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Mature Workers Program
Also known as the Senior Community Services Employment Program, the Mature Workers Program provides paid community service assignments, on-the-job training, and skills training for income eligible individuals aged fifty-five and older.
The program serves as a “Bridge Back to Work” for eligible individuals, whether they are unemployed, underemployed, have been laid off, or have retired. The program's goal is to help participants gain the skills that they need to return to the regular workforce.
What Services do participants receive?
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Paid on-the-job training and work experience at community Host Agencies
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Special skills training at local training facilities
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Revitalization of job skills
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Development of new job skills
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Assistance with transition to part-time or full-time employment in the regular job market
What are the program's benefits to participants?
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Twenty hours/week paid work experience or skills training
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Wages (Massachusetts minimum wage)
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Job counseling
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Supportive Services
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Referrals to other Human Services Organizations
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Other assistance to help the participant return to the regular workforce
What are examples of work assignments?
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Receptionist
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Office Clerk
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Administrative Assistant
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Library Aide
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Adult Day Care Worker
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Senior Nutrition Site Aide
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Maintenance Worker
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Outreach Assistant
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Data Entry Clerk
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Other possibilities depending on the participant's skills, interests, and agency needs
What are host agency Sites?
Host Agencies Sites are community agencies or organizations which provide on-the-job training and supervision for program participants. Host Agencies must be private not-for-profit or governmental agencies.
Participants work twenty hours per week at these sites gaining skills and work experience while providing supportive services to the Host Agency. At the end of their assignment participants are generally ready to seek unsubsidized employment. Often Host Agencies want to offer employment to the program participant, who is now a well-trained worker.
Host Agencies provide community services such as education, housing, social services, health services, recreation, and senior services.
How to find out more about the program
To learn more about the Mature Workers Program and about eligibility guidelines, call the program office at 508-394-4630 or 800-244-4630.
Our Mature Workers Program (also known as the Senior Community Services Employment Program) is under contract with Senior Service America, Inc. It is funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.
[Click here for more information from the Senior Service America website]
Former program participants say
Assessing the assistance of the Program...
"I was terrified to go out and look for a job, although I was well educated and had even run my own business at one time."
(The Program helped this participant regain her confidence.)
Commenting on skills learned....
"I have personally learned to listen closely to the needs of the person who is relating his/her problems to me. Through my position at the Senior Center I have gained insight into the needs of the community."
After obtaining unsubsidized employment....
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your staff, and the Program for the help you provided. Your Program provided me with a means to show to the potential employer over an extended period of time, how well I could perform in such a position. It also provided training, through your agreement with the library, in the various library functions needed to do the job.”
Host Agencies say
On the value of hosting a participant...
"An excellent contribution to our office and we appreciate having her with us. We will put in a request to the town's budget to fund this position."
On the professionalism of a participant...
"She not only accepts direction and guidance well, but welcomes it. She is eager to perform tasks well and will always ask for clarification."