WCSH to report on Maine's Seasoned Workforce

WCSH-6, out of Portland, as well as their sister station in Bangor, WLBZ, channel 2, will be running a special report Thursday, on Maine's aging workforce. Highlighted in Scott Sassone's feature, which will run at 6:00 pm, and 11:00, willl be Dave Tomm, and Seasoned Workforce, LLC.

The Central/Western Maine Workforce Board has been partnering since last fall with Tomm, and his organization out of Rockland, hosting forums designed to create a dialogue between older workers, or "seasoned" workers, as they're often referred to, and Maine's employers.

Seasoned Workforce, LLC offers advocacy programs and employment opportunities that are providing valuable benefits to business, community and seasoned people in Maine. Since January of 2007 the company has held 14 Seasoned Worker Forums in Bath, Lewiston and Rockland, recently offering them in Portland, and Augusta for the very first time. The program has been met with enthusiasm, as jobseekers and employers recognize the value provided by their program, which addressed Maine's the changing workforce and highlights pportunities for employees. Over 800 individuals and businesses have participated in these forums.

Tomm is a master facilitator. An older worker himself, he has an engaging style that gets at the issues many of the participants are feeling, as well as building support among Maine's employers, such as L.L. Bean, Bonney Staffing, Irving, TD Banknorth, and many other businesses that recognize the value and experience represented by this demographic of workers.

I eagerly look forward to Sassone's report.

Here is a dire graphic that appeared in the just released People, Place, and Prosperity, by the Governor's Council onf Maine's Quality of Place. It pertains to issues that will affect our state, and ties nicely with the efforts put forth by Tomm's organization.

[By 2030, more than one in four Mainers will be retirement age or older. The number of deaths exceeds births each year in half of Maine’s counties. School enrollment has fallen by 50,000 students in Maine’s public schools since the 1970s.--Source: State Planning Office, based on data from the US Census Bureau, October 2007]