Fifteen senior workers are currently being trained in Ardmore through Experience Works, according to Tammy Townley, the employment and training coordinator for the federally funded program.
She spoke during the City of Ardmore’s Commission on Aging meeting in City Hall Wednesday.
Formerly known as the Green Thumb, Experience Works serves low-income individuals ages 55 and older. Workers are paid while they are training for jobs. President Lyndon B. Johnson established the program in 1965. Townley covers 14 counties and said she has positions open in Marietta and Love County. She expects openings in Ardmore and other locations before long.
“When I get a spot open, it usually doesn’t last very long because I have a waiting list,” Townley said. “Here’s where I run into trouble — people sometimes think older workers will have doctor’s appointments and have to miss work. I can tell them that most of the time, they will know at least two weeks ahead of time when that employee has a doctor’s appointment.”
Senior workers are loyal and dependable, according to Townley. Companies that are 501(c)3 non-profit or government agencies can participate in training employees. Local businesses that have participated include Ardmore Village, Adult Day Care Services, the City of Tatums, City of Ardmore, Fox High School and Southern Oklahoma Blood Institute, among others.
Townley gave an example of a woman who is currently training in a vocational center for a job as a medical transcriptionist in another county. “She didn’t know how to use a copy machine or a fax machine,” Townley said. “Working with a computer scared her.”
Individuals who are interested in finding out more about the program can contact Tammy Townley at Experience Works, 700 1/2 N. Commerce St. in Ardmore, or call (580) 490-9336.
In other business, Commissioner Bill Parker reported Vicki Richardson has started a yoga class at the YMCA for seniors. The class meets at 10 a.m. Tuesdays at 920 15th Ave. NW. Membership to the YMCA is required and cost of the class is free.
