Enrollment is happening now for the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) at Big Sandy Area Community Action Program.

The Senior Community Service Employment Program is designed to help low-income people over the age of 55 to get the help they need to enter or re-enter the workforce. The free program offers job training, education, and the support people may need to find employment at a mature age.

The time spent in the program is dedicated to helping people dust off their skills, become more marketable job seekers, and perform paid community service work. Participants are paid to work 15 hours per week at a community service organization, such as offices of local government or law enforcement, senior citizens centers, animal shelters, childcare facilities, and others.

Program participants are able to learn computer skills and Microsoft programs as well as receive assistance with boosting their interview skills, soft skills, and resumes, all in the company of peers.

SCSEP Program Manager Mike Goble said, “There are people who join the program that worked for 50 years, retired, and then either needed or wanted to get back out there in the workforce. And then there are people who have never had a formal job before, but their circumstances changed and they need a little boost to help them prepare for work outside the home. We see all kinds.”

Goble said the program offers guidance tailored to each participant based on their current set of skills, needs, and desired workplace goals. “We take you as you are and try to help you get to where you want to be. And a lot of times, it just takes getting out of the house and being around people like yourself to get you started,” he said.

Participant spots are limited and Goble said that now is the time for mature people thinking of entering the workforce to get the training and the support they need so that they can be ready to fill positions as they open up again.

If you are interested in enrolling or have questions about the Senior Community Service Employment Program, you can call Mike Goble at (606) 789-6515. Big Sandy Area Community Action Program’s SCSEP program serves Elliot, Floyd, Johnson, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, Pike, and Rowan counties.