Experience Works searches for
Montana’s 2008 outstanding older worker
(Great Falls, MT, February 5, 2008) — Experience Works, the nation’s largest training and employment organization for mature workers, is searching for Montana’s outstanding older worker. Experience Works Prime Time Awards program is part of Experience Works’ national effort to raise awareness of the contributions made by older individuals and to break down barriers associated with the hiring of all older workers. Outstanding older workers from every state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico will be honored in Washington, D.C., and in their home states for their contributions to the workforce and local communities.
Montana's Outstanding Older Worker nominees or applicants must be 65 years of age or older, a resident of Montana, currently employed, and working at least 20 hours each week for pay. The honoree must be willing and able to travel to Washington, D.C., the week of September 22-26 for the Prime Time Award events. The visit will include meetings with congressional representatives, a tour of the city’s landmarks, and the awards banquet and ceremony. Honorees will have an opportunity to meet, share their stories, and celebrate their accomplishments. Family, friends or colleagues can send in a nomination, or older workers can self nominate. Travel and other Prime Time Award event expenses for the honoree are covered by donations and sponsorships. To nominate a person for the Montana Outstanding Older Worker, access nomination forms on-line at www.experienceworks.org, or contact connie_moench@experienceworks.org, (701-226-5118). The deadline for nominations is April 30, 2008. FORM
Montana’s Outstanding Older Worker in 2007 was 91-year-old Ella Oblender. Oblender believes that if a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well. After high school she began a long career in service to others in the health-care field, starting out as a nurse’s aide in the retirement ward of a hospital in Glendive. She then moved to Billings and worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital, where she primarily worked on the maternity, labor and delivery floor. She ended her health care career in Great Falls, where she focused on patient care in the maternity ward. For the last 16 years she has worked as a customer-service representative at Missouri River Marine, where she is responsible for ordering and picking up parts for boats and marine products. It’s her job to make sure that customers are happy with their product and services. Oblender says, “Continuing to work gives me an opportunity to do something worthwhile, to get to meet people, to do a job to the best of my ability.”
The search for America’s Oldest Worker for 2008 is also under way, as is the search for outstanding employers of older workers. Last year, 101-year-old Ray Jenkins, maintenance coordinator from Colchester, Vermont, was named America’s Oldest Worker. An online nomination form or a printed nomination form can be accessed at www.experienceworks.org. The deadline for nominations is June 1, 2008.
Experience Works is a national, nonprofit organization that provides training and employment services for mature workers. Established in 1965, Experience Works reaches more than 125,000 mature individuals in all 50 states and Puerto Rico each year. This year’s search is being sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care, an outstanding employer of older workers in 2006. Home Instead Senior Care is the world's largest provider of comprehensive companionship and home care services for seniors. For more information about Home Instead’s services visit www.homeinstead.com.
Detailed information about Montana's SESCP (Senior Employment Services Community Program) is available HEREBACK
