Operation A.B.L.E. of Greater Boston Today

Operation A.B.L.E., 501(c)3 organization, now stands at the leading edge of a phenomenal demographic shift, one that is likely to influence every aspect of American society: the baby boomer retirement years.  

Over the next 23 years or so, nearly 80 million people born in the United States between 1946 and 1964 are expected to reach retirement age. While this historic transition will have profound consequences in areas such as housing, healthcare, travel, and education, it will likely be felt first in the workplace.  

With only an estimated 48 million Generation X workers – today’s workers born after 1964 – available to fill the jobs of a departing workforce, employers will be looking for ways to keep their organizations fully staffed, productive, and competitive. In addition to programs and incentives to encourage their older workers to stay longer on the job, many human resource managers have begun tapping into the growing population of mature workers to fill vacancies.

The U.S. Department of Labor expects mature workers to make up 19.1 percent of the U.S. labor market by 2012, up from 14.3 percent in 2002. In Massachusetts, 13.5 percent of the population in 2000 was 65 and older; a figure that the Massachusetts Institute for a New Commonwealth predicts will jump to 18 percent by 2025. (Florida is now the only state with 18 percent of the population age 65 and older.) 

Mature job seekers come from a broad range of social and economic backgrounds. Many have:

• Already retired and are having difficulty living on limited social security, life savings, and pension (if any) income;
• Been laid off due to downsizing and are unable to find work in their particular professional or occupational specialties;
• Lost their jobs because of age discrimination. 

These individuals comprise a burgeoning pool of available talent that is, according to the Society of Human Resources Management, flexible about working different schedules and more loyal than younger workers who typically change jobs to advance their careers. 

Yet, in many cases older workers face formidable barriers to reentry into the workforce. They need to learn new skills and practices that make them attractive candidates for the employment possibilities open to them. For 25 years, Operation A.B.L.E. has been committed to helping mature workers from diverse backgrounds lower these barriers through training programs that increase their skills, confidence, and employability.

Job Search Resources including a Resource Room with computer stations and fast internet connections for writing resumes and cover letters and conducting online job searches. Employment listings and job fair announcements are posted as well. Individual coaching and counseling sessions are available for modest fees, as well as individualized computer skills training. 

Training Options include Operation EmployABLE, a 19-week computer, office skills and job search training program for mature job seekers who have little or no knowledge of computers. Operation Service! is a shorter 6-week class that is available for mature job seekers who need a quick review of the Microsoft software applications, but also need intensive job search assistance. Both of these programs are fee based but there are several tuition options. 

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is available for low-income mature job seekers 55 and older who live in Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk and Worcester counties and meet the income guidelines. This creative Department of Labor program allows the job seeker to earn a stipend while conducting community service at a non-profit or government agency, get on-the-job training, and learn how to search for a job. The ultimate goal is to find unsubsidized work.

Resources for Massachusetts Employers

Providing well-qualified mature candidates to meet employers’ needs -- Operation A.B.L.E. can help you meet your recruitment needs with well-trained students from A.B.L.E.’s classes, as well as from our Job Fairs for Mature Workers or A.B.L.E. SHOWCASES. A.B.L.E. posts resumes online for employers to review and employers can post job openings. 

Providing individual and group outplacement services to mature workers who have been downsized from companies -- Operation A.B.L.E. works with the individual until the candidate finds a new employment opportunity. 

Providing training to employees in such areas as: recruiting, retaining, retraining, and developing effective retirement strategies for the mature worker. Operation A.B.L.E. can also provide workplace instruction in basic skills, customer service, computer technology and supervisory training. Operation A.B.L.E. can also provide onsite case management assistance and career counseling to employees.

Providing A.B.L.E. Temps services to companies -- Individuals can be put on A.B.L.E.’s payroll while you “try someone out” at your company. 

Providing an opportunity to celebrate outstanding workers 50 or older at A.B.L.E.’s Celebrating Experience Breakfast. Companies can nominate as many outstanding workers as they wish, depending on their level of sponsorship. Awardees’ accomplishments are read aloud by the Emcee. Each honoree receives an Outstanding Worker Award, corsage or boutonnière. Operation A.B.L.E. also sends a picture and an announcement to each award recipient's community newspaper.

FY 2008 Accomplishments

• Celebrated our 26th year of providing employment and training services to mature workers 45 and older.

• Served 440 economically-disadvantaged seniors age 55 and older in Essex, Middlesex, Suffolk and Worcester counties through the Senior Community Service Employment Program.

• Graduated 92 participants from our three training programs: Operation EmployABLE, Operation Service and Operation Success.

• Piloted our new six-week boot camp for professionals, Operation Success, with seed money from The John Merck Fund. Twenty two students participated.

• Awarded grant to provide computer and office skills training programs to the Quincy Housing Authority.

• Co-sponsored career fair for mature workers with AARP at the organization’s Life@50+ Expo in September 2007. Forty employers were on hand for the three-day event, meeting with thousands of mature job seekers from around the country.

• Hosted Mature Worker Career Fair on January 29 at Boston’s Radisson Hotel, where 23 employers met one-on-one with more than 400 mature job seekers from Greater Boston.

• Relicensed by the Department of Education to provide education and training programs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

• Honored John E. Drew, President and CEO of the Seaport Companies, as our 2008 Starfish Thrower Awardee for his significant contributions to the Greater Boston community.

• Invited to and served on nine local Massachusetts Workforce Investment Boards and the statewide Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board which provides an opportunity for Operation A.B.L.E. to advocate for mature workers.

• Testified twice at the State House for Bills #4420 and #4423 which promoted opportunities for mature workers.

• Continued to serve as one of four Boston Globe Job Docs since 2002.

• Continued to serve as national judge for AARP’s BEST Awards for workers 50 and older.