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Proactively offer your training programs to mature workers, regardless of their position or work status. A number of AARP’s current and former Best Employers for Workers Over 50 offer robust

training and educational programs that appeal to job seekers and employees. For example, Scripps Health, an eight-time Best Employer, offers learning and development programs to full- and

part-time employees, such as tuition reimbursement, in-house classroom training, online training and certification classes. Employees must work at least 16 hours per week to be eligible for

the tuition reimbursement benefit. Moreover, Scripps’ Clinical Mentorship Program gives highly skilled clinicians the opportunity to serve as role models and teachers within each patient

care unit. The YMCA of Greater Rochester, a seven-time Best Employer, offers Mentoring Across Generations that helps employees understand the culture of the organization and gain expertise

in specific disciplines. They also offer in-house classroom training, online training, certification classes, regional training events, and reimbursement of professional membership dues to

full- and part-time employees. THESE FLEXIBLE WORK OPTIONS ATTRACT WORKERS 50-PLUS Create passport or snowbird programs that allow employees to work in different parts of the country. Many

employers are already doing this, says Roselyn Feinsod, an Aon Hewitt partner specializing in issues facing older workers. She points to Home Depot and CVS as examples. "Present the

option of shorter shifts,” adds Feinsod. This may be especially appealing to employees whose job requires them to stand on their feet all day, such as nurses or cashiers. Some other unique

ideas? Atlantic Health System, a six-time Best Employer, allows retirees in the 1000 Hour Club to return to work either on a part-time or per diem basis three months after retirement. Mercy

Health System, a seven-time Best Employer, offers a Work to Retire program that allows employees age 50-plus with five years of service the opportunity to work reduced, pool or work-at-home

schedules, and employees age 55-plus with 15 years of service can work seasonally while maintaining full-year, part-time benefits. Moreover, offering flexible work options for caregivers

will definitely attract older workers. In fact, 65.7 million caregivers account for 29 percent of the U.S. adult population, providing care to someone who is ill, disabled or aged. And 70

percent of working caregivers suffer work-related difficulties due to their dual caregiving roles. The National Institutes of Health, a four-time Best Employer, including the top-ranked

winner in 2013, offers employees paid time off that is specifically designated for caregiving. The Voluntary Leave Transfer Program allows participating federal employees to share their

accrued annual leave with others. Companies can also develop temporary employment opportunities where employees act as consultants. Tim Phoenix, former principal at Deloitte Consulting in

Austin, Texas, knows of a large manufacturing company that offers such opportunities to engineers, who are in short supply. They're hired for various projects throughout the year and

can work as much or as little as they want. Some work three months a year, spend the winter in Florida, then return to work for another two-month project. "It's the idea that

people work very intensively for short periods of time," he says. "It's a tremendously good practice in the high skills area like [with] executives or management level

[employees] where it can be project-driven." Or consider telecommuting, increasing in popularity, which offers many benefits to both employers and employees. With the rapid advances in

information technology, working from home has become a very popular option for many members of America’s workforce. Telecommuting provides workers with the flexibility, convenience and

financial savings that they desire, while increasing productivity and job satisfaction. In fact, by 2020, approximately 60 million Americans are likely to be telecommuters.