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November 20, 2017

State recognizes four businesses as 'senior-friendly employers'

Courtesy / State Workforce Board From left, Dan Harfoush, Dave Collins and Pat Elmer of Associates for Training and Development accept their Silver Collar Award from Fred Webber of the State Workforce Board.
By Staff

The State Workforce Board’s Older Worker Committee recognized four Maine businesses as being 2017’s best employers for workers over the age of 50.

The Silver Collar Employer Award “honors employers whose policies and practices match the needs of mature employees, capturing their skills and experience, strong work ethic, flexibility, and enthusiasm,” according to a news release.

This year’s recipients are:

Associates for Training and Development, which provides training and employment services to workers who are 55 and older. The company was recognized for adjusting duties and responsibilities when appropriate to make the most of each person’s talents, and for offering a mentoring program and flexibility in the workplace.

Care & Comfort, which has been providing professional home health and mental health services to Maine residents since 1991. Care & Comfort was recognized for providing an excellent benefit package and for its “flexibility, training and on-the-job coaching for older workers.”

Community Health Options, a nonprofit member-led health insurance plan based in Lewiston providing comprehensive health insurance benefits to individuals, families and businesses throughout Maine. Community Health Options was recognized for providing a “Workplace Flexibility and Transition” program to older employees.

Moody’s Co-worker Owned Inc. is a technically-advanced company using computer software and tools that are cutting edge for the automotive industry. Thirty-three percent of Moody's company is over the age of 50 and the company employs a very diverse workforce of employees from 18 to 70 years old.

“I congratulate this year’s winners for recognizing the value that different employees bring to our workforce,” said Gov. Paul R. LePage. “Our state needs and values the contributions of all members of our workforce, no matter their age, and the Silver Collar Awards recognize businesses who put these values into action.”

At a glance

The State Workforce Board is responsible for assisting Gov. Paul LePage in improving the state’s business climate by designing and implementing strategies that help Mainers enter the workforce as well as advance by increasing their skills.

Maine is the oldest state in the nation, according to the Maine Department of Labor, with a median age of 44.5 years. Workers age 55 and over comprise 25% of the labor force and that share is expected to rise over the next decade as the baby-boomer generation advances in age.

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