Today Sharon L. Gire, Director of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, joined Steve Gools, AARP Michigan State Director, at a press conference in Lansing to recognize six Michigan employers selected as 2005 AARP Best Employers for Workers Over Age 50.

Beaumont Hospitals, the Henry Ford Health System, Kelly Services, Inc., the Oakwood Healthcare System, Volkswagen of America, and the Whirlpool Corporation were all named to the list. Five of the six employers are headquartered in Metropolitan Detroit, with the Whirlpool Corporation being located in Benton Harbor.

"Older workers exemplify the model employee – they are dependable, committed and experienced workers. These 6 employers have found the keys to success and have paved the way for other Michigan employers to follow," Gire said. "September 18-24 is National Older Worker Week and I cannot think of a better way to kick-off the celebration than to honor award-winning Michigan employers who value older workers."

"The employers we honor today are leaders in best practices and policies for addressing aging workforce issues. They are setting roadmaps for the workplaces of tomorrow,” Gools said. "By the year 2012, nearly one fifth of our workforce will be age 55 or older."

The AARP Best Employers for Workers Over 50 awards program is in its fifth year, and 50 companies nationwide were selected as recipients of the 2005 award. Michigan has more employers on the list than any other state in the nation. The employers were rated on their employee development opportunities, health benefits for employees and retirees, age of their workforce, alternative work arrangements and retirement benefits, including pensions.

The Michigan Office of Services to the Aging administers the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), which helps unemployed low-income job seekers age 55 and over improve their skills, obtain training, and secure a job. In Michigan, the program serves on average 3,000 particpants each year through OSA and seven national grantees, of which AARP Foundation is included. 2005 marks the 40th Anniversary of the SCSEP Program.

For more information about SCSEP, please contact the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging at (517) 373-8230.