The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Local News

October 17, 2009

Getting ready for older work force

Project aims to prepare employers for change

By Tim Krohn

MANKATO — At a time of high unemployment, searching for ways to get more retirement-age Minnesotans into the work force and volunteer ranks may seem incongruous.

But a Mankato area project aimed at doing just that is in preparation for dramatic shifts coming in the population.

In the next 25 years, the number of Minnesotans over age 65 will double, rising to 1.4 million, and by 2030, older people will represent more than 20 percent of the state's population.

Laura Turk says tapping the experience of older residents will be increasingly important.

“If we find ways to expand opportunities available for seniors, who have tremendous work experiences and talents, it would just enhance the community,” said Turk, who is leading the ENCORE 60+ project.

The project by Greater Mankato Growth is made possible by a $15,000 grant from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation.

The group will hold a town meeting in Mankato Oct. 27 to get ideas for funding two or three projects that will develop new ways to get older residents into the work force and into volunteer activities.

While many older residents have part-time jobs and volunteer, Turk said they are looking for ideas to develop new and meaningful opportunities. Part of that goal is to get businesses to look at their own organizations.

“We hope to get businesses to think of ways to better utilize seniors. They need to think of flexible work because retirees may be out of town part of the year,” Turk said. “It may be one-time projects a business needs done, or it may be offering flexible hours or seasonal work.”

Turk, retired from the Mankato Schools, was tapped as coordinator of the project after she served as co-chair of the health and human services committee on the Envision 20/20 project, aimed at laying out a long-term blueprint for the community. “One of our key elements coming out of that was engaging seniors in the community,” she said.

After getting ideas and proposals, the ENCORE 60+ committee will in November pick projects to be funded, with the expectation those funded will raise matching in-kind and financial funds.

ENCORE stands for Engaging Networking Connecting Older Individuals with Resources and Employers.

The group is holding its Town Meeting on Engaging Older Workers from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Verizon Wireless Center.



For more information, visit greatermankato.com/community-encore.php.

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