BANGOR – The National Council on Aging held an awards luncheon recently at the parks and recreation building in Bangor in celebration of National Older Worker Week. NCOA administers the Senior Community Service Employment Program throughout the state. The program assists low-income, mature workers with training and transition to employment by collaborating with community service agencies throughout Maine.

Traci Fowler, NCOA’s program manager, shared details about the Maine work force project.

“NCOA believes America’s future well-being will lie in the way the job market treats older workers,” she said. “Bureau of Labor statistics tell us to expect that by 2005 there will be not only 30 percent more mature persons working, but also 30 percent more mature workers unemployed. Our goal is to do more to help mature workers find and keep jobs.”

Guest speaker was Dr. Lenard Kaye, director of the University of Maine Center for Aging, with additional comments by Chris Mann of U.S. Rep. John Baldacci’s office.

Robert Guerette of Carmel, trained and hired at the Etna-Dixmont Elementary School under the supervision of Ernest Starbird, received the Participant of the Year Award.

Eleanor Howe of Argyle, a clerical assistant at the Bangor regional office, and Owen Arey, trained and hired at Bangor Parks and Recreation Department under the supervision of Dennis Crane, received Awards of Excellence for commitment and outstanding contributions to the community service employment program.