Empowering Senior Job Seekers: Insights with Dion Smith of Easterseals In this episode of ‘The Voice of Job Seekers,’ host Mark interviews Dion Smith, Manager of Programs and Compliance at Easterseals. They discuss the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) aimed at helping job seekers aged 55 and older transition from volunteerism to employment. Funded by the Department of Labor, this Title V program offers training through partnerships with nonprofit and government agencies, providing participants with a stipend and job-related skills. Dion highlights the importance of digital skills and collaborations with tech companies like IBM to enhance employment readiness. Listeners are encouraged to visit Easterseals.com or the Department of Labor’s website for more information on local SCSEP opportunities.
00:41 Meet Dion Smith from Easter Seals
00:57 Overview of the Senior Community Service Employment Program
01:38 How the Program Works
02:15 Finding Local Projects and Host Agencies 03:12 Program Duration and Flexibility
03:53 Q&A: Funding and Grants
05:36 Combating Ageism and Building Skills 06:00 Importance of Digital Skills
06:42 IBM Partnership and Digital Intelligence
07:42 AI in the Workforce
08:56 Final Thoughts and How to Get Involved