DIRECTIVE	:	TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 01-99
TO	:	ALL STATE JPTA LIAISONS ALL STATE WORKER ADJUSTMENT LIAISONS ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES ALL ONE-STOP CAREER CENTER SYSTEM LEADS
FROM	:	DAVID HENSON Director Office of Regional Management
SUBJECT	:	One-Stop Training Curriculum for Older Worker Specialists

1. Purpose. To announce the completion and distribution of the One-Stop Training Curriculum for Older Worker Specialists which includes a broad base of curricula addressing the workforce development needs of older workers.

2. References. Older Worker Bulletins Nos. 97-14, 97-19, 97-20, 98-25 and 98-34 which encouraged linkages between the Senior Community Service Employment Programs (SCSEP) and the One-Stop Centers; and the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 which requires programs and activities under Title V of the Older Americans Act to be a partner in the One-Stop System.

3. Background. This Curriculum was developed in response to requests from older worker specialists who wanted a training curriculum that could be used for Older Worker Staff, SCSEP enrollees and the cross training of One-Stop partner staff.

   The SCSEP under title V of the Older Americans Act is one of the mandated partners in the Workforce Investment Act One-Stop Center System. One-Stop Centers are rapidly being implemented across the Nation to create an integrated system of employment and training resources for employers and job seekers. At the same time, the United States is experiencing an unprecedented growth in the number of older workers and job seekers in the work force. The aging of the workforce means that the One-Stop Centers will need to understand both the needs of mature workers and the value of those workers to the labor market in order to be responsive to this growing cohort of customers.

   Colorado's Older Worker Network, a statewide group of older worker advocates, began to address this issue in 1997. It was determined that SCSEP enrollees can be trained and assigned to One-Stops to assist older workers in accessing the resources that are available. In addition, older worker advocates can offer expertise and knowledge to help One-Stops provide quality

   services geared to the mature worker. This led to the production of the One-Stop Training Curriculum for Older Worker Specialists. Because it was initially developed for use solely in Colorado, staff from the Senior Texans Employment Program agreed to modify the curriculum so that it might be adapted for use by any State.

4. Content. This curriculum contains six modules: Module I, Workforce Development One-Stop Centers and the Older Worker; Module II, Assessment Process and Interviewing, Module III, Counseling the Older Worker; Module IV, Assessing Community Services and Networking; Module V, Age Discrimination, Americans with Disabilities Act, Grievances; and Module VI, Employer Relations. There is a Resource section with a glossary, websites and Tips for the Mature Job Seeker. In addition, there is also a presentation section with overheads and handouts.

5. Design and Use of One-Stop Training Curriculum for Older Worker Specialists. This curriculum is designed to provide information, a skill set, and a sense of support for staff serving as older worker specialists in One-Stops. It will also provide a basis for individuals who will work with participants in the SCSEP or other older worker programs. In addition to providing the above-mentioned training outcomes, this training will provide SCSEP enrollees working in One-Stop Centers with opportunities to network with each other and to meet other professional staff who will be available to support them in their work.

   This training can be presented in a two-day session, or modules of the curriculum can be used individually to meet the training needs of One-Stop staff. All materials contained in this manual have been developed under Federal grants and are therefore in the public domain.

6. Distribution of the One-Stop Training Curriculum for Older Worker Specialists. One copy of the training curriculum has been sent to each State One-Stop Lead, State Older Worker Lead, SCSEP Grantee, and One-Stop Center. For additional copies of this training curriculum, please contact David Richardson at 202-219-5904 x187 or e-mail at: drichardson@doleta.gov.

7. Electronic Speciality Data Base Availability. The One-Stop Training Curriculum for Older Worker Specialists is available on the Internet on ETA's Home Page under What's Hot at http://www.doleta.gov/ and in a searchable format at http://www.alx.org/wfd.html. This is the specialty site entitled "Tools of the Trade" for workforce development practitioners hosted by America's Learning eXchange (ALX). Workforce practitioners are encouraged to use the Internet version because it is free and searchable.

8. Inquiries. Questions on the One-Stop Training Curriculum for Older Worker Specialists should be directed to your ETA Regional Office or to Karen Davis at 202-219-5904 x115 or e-mail: kadavis@doleta.gov

9. Separate Cover. One-Stop Training Curriculum for Older Worker Specialists

NOTE: "Separate Cover" document not available to DMS