National Council on Aging created the Job Skills CheckUp with funding from IBM

Contact
Simona Combi
Public Relations Manager
571-527-3982
simona.combi@ncoa.org

Arlington, VA (January 19, 2022)—The National Council on Aging (NCOA), has launched Job Skills CheckUp, a free online tool that gives older adults practical tips on how to find a job. IBM helped fund the tool’s development.

“An increasing number of older adults need to work to cover their daily expenses,” said Josh Hodges, NCOA’s Chief Customer Officer. “But many face barriers when returning to work—from explaining employment gaps to learning new technologies. NCOA’s Job Skills CheckUp helps them navigate these challenges. We are grateful to IBM for their generous support of this effort.”

The tool offers resources and practical tips on creating a resume, interviewing, learning new skills, and creating a professional network.

The goal is to empower older job seekers to build their confidence while creating a personal plan to land a job they love.

Users respond to questions about the types of jobs they are seeking (such as part-time, gig, or seasonal jobs), how proficient they are with using computers, their education level, whether they have been incarcerated, and if they have immigrated to the United States in the past 5 years. NCOA does not collect any personally identifiable information, but users can create accounts to save their plans.

The Job Skills CheckUp is one of NCOA’s suite of online tools that  also includes:

• Falls Free CheckUp®, which allows older adults to discover their risk of a fall
• Budget CheckUp, which helps old adults manage their finances

BenefitsCheckUp®, a separate online tool, enables older adults to see if they may be eligible for benefits programs to cover daily costs such as food and health care.

About NCOA
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or ZIP code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more by following us at @NCOAging.