Business - Chamber offers service for adults looking to get back in work force

According to the Department of Labor and Chamber President Joe Dalton, the work force in Saratoga County is shrinking due to company downsizing, early retirement or company buy-outs, leaving many people unemployed or tapping into their retirement funds.

“For whatever reasons, the work force is shrinking, and many people find retired life to be boring or they just don’t know what to do with their idle time,” Dalton said. “Longer life spans and people who are out of work are leaving open an untapped labor force in the county.”

Hoping to take advantage of this situation, the Chamber has initiated a program that will provide free employment services for adults who are looking for part-time, full-time or seasonal jobs throughout the county.

“Right now is the perfect time for mature individuals to re-enter the work force to supplement their retirement funds or just to get out and socialize,” Dalton said. “Mature individuals make great employees because they have a good work ethic and are sophisticated enough to take care of themselves.”

Three years ago, Saratoga Race Course began hiring retirees as “greeters” at the front gates of the track which proved to be a success, Dalton added. The employees knew when they were available and were able to cover the whole meet before it even started.

“We joke that the people have to have grey hair or roots,” he said.

Through the Chamber, adults can send in a simple application into the applicant pool and each application will be translated into a two-line resume that will be listed on the Job Zone section of the Chamber’s website. Employers who are seeking help are urged to go to the Job Zone to review the two-line resumes and will have a chance to follow up with the potential employee.

“People out there are seeing their 401K shrinking and they may want supplemental money, and employers are always looking for hard workers who have a positive attitude,” Dalton said. “Retirees or seniors have what many of these employers are looking for, and now there is an easier outlet to find them.”

For more information call the Chamber at 584-3255 or visit www.saratoga.org.