The Governor's Older Workers Task Force Report of Recommendations
Division of Aging, NC Department of Human Resources

To remain competitive, both nationally and internationally, and maintain a strong economy, North Carolina has begun to address issues relevant to our older workers. In May 1995, Governor James B. Hunt Jr., created the Older Workers Task Force, comprised of members (see the list) from the private and public sectors, from the state and local levels, and from a variety of different backgrounds.

The task force is a joint initiative of the Division of Aging in the Department of Human Resources and the Governor's Commission on Workforce Preparedness. It is chaired by Sarah T. Morrow, MD, MPH, currently medical director at EDS (Electronic Data Systems) in Raleigh and formerly secretary of the Department of Human Resources.

This group has undertaken a collaborative effort to identify issues that affect our older workers and to make recommendations that will help keep them productive from now until the end of the century and beyond. From among the many issues that affect workers age 50 and older, the Task Force selected the following five for careful study:

• making state policy that supports employers and older workers
• paying for retirement: continued employment, pensions, and Social Security
• obtaining information on the characteristics and needs of the older work force
• helping older workers update skills and pursue new careers
• increasing public awareness of the value of older workers

In June 1996 the Task Force presented its recommendations to the Governor. Clicking on the issues listed above will bring you to those recommendations. For a copy of the full report, entitled The Second 50 Years: Enhancing Employment Opportunities for Older Workers, which contains additional background information on these topics and a report of focus groups held around the state, contact Debbie Brantley at the Division of Aging, 693 Palmer Drive, Caller Box No. 29531, Raleigh, NC 27626-0531.

	Go to:	Introduction	Membership List	Mission and Principles
Recommendations about Issues for Older Workers
State Policy	Retirement Income	Data on Older Workers	Updating Work Skills	Public Awareness

Comments on or questions about this document should be addressed to Debbie Brantley at the NC Division of Aging, 693 Palmer Drive, Caller Box No. 29531, Raleigh, NC 27626-0531.

The online version of this report was produced for the NC Division of Aging by the Center for Aging Research and Educational Services, School of Social Work, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Comments on or problems with these web pages to Margaret Morse, mmorse@email.unc.edu.

August 1996