Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services

Community Assessment Tool

Employment

Unemployed — those who do not have a job, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks, and are currently available for work.

Underemployed — full-time temporary or part-time temporary workers who want permanent employment; part-time permanent workers who want full-time employment; and those who are overqualified for their current positions

IDENTIFYING YOUR Resources

  • What is the current employment rate among older adults in your community?
  • Are there employment opportunities for older adults who want to work?
  • Do employers actively recruit older workers? If so, who?
  • What strategies do these employers use to recruit older workers?
  • Have employers actively taken steps to retain their older employees? If so, who?
  • What strategies do these employers use?
  • What organizations help older adults find employment?
  • Does the Local Workforce Development Board provide job training specifically to help older adults obtain or improve skills necessary to gain employment? Do other organizations? If so, who?
  • Will the current employment system meet the needs of the projected number of older adults in five, 10, or 20 years?

BUILDING YOUR COMMUNITY

  • What are the primary strengths of the employment system in your community for older adults?
  • How can the employment system better serve older adults?
  • What are the primary gaps in the employment system?
  • Are older adults aware of resources to assist them in obtaining satisfactory employment?
    • How do older adults in your community learn about employment opportunities available to them?
    • What are your current methods of outreach to educate older consumers about employment opportunities?
    • How can you improve outreach/awareness of employment opportunities in your community for older adults?
  • Are job training and employment services accessible?
  • Does the employment system meet the needs cited by older adults?
  • How can you assess the employment needs of older adults in your community?
  • Are the employment services available in your community culturally appropriate with regard to:
    • Age
    • Addressing language barriers for non-English speaking residents,
    • Literacy levels
    • Race/ethnicity
    • Disability

Back to Step 4: Assess Where your Are Today

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Updated: November 2, 2007