Overview

Launched in 2015 by AARP, the Work & Jobs platform is a comprehensive career resource hub for workers age 50+. It provides job‐search tools, skills development, employment insights, and employer-engagement resources tailored to the distinct needs of experienced workers. Users can access a variety of offerings including resume review, on-demand webinars, a job-search toolkit, digital skills training, and employer pledge programs that promote age-inclusive hiring.

Within this framework, AARP’s affiliated charitable organization, the AARP Foundation, manages several targeted programs which fall within AARP’s strategic priority to not only assist older individuals in re-entering or staying engaged in the workforce, but also to shape employer practices and workforce systems to value and retain older talent.

The Work & Jobs initiative addresses critical barriers such as age discrimination, digital skills deficits, outdated job-search strategies. These include:

• Back to Work 50+ initiative
  • Offers free coaching, training, and job-search support specifically for workers over 50.
• Digital Skills Ready@50+ program
  • Addresses the technology and digital literacy gap by training older adults in job-relevant digital tools.
• Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP)
  • Provides part-time paid training assignments via host agencies to help adults age 55+ gain work experience and transition to unsubsidized employment.

The website aims to provide a comprehensive online resource to help individuals manage their careers, stay competitive in the workforce, and navigate the evolving job market.

Background

By situating older adults within a “learn‐and‐work” continuum, where ongoing skill development, job readiness, and employment transitions are all intentionally supported, this platform aligns with broader ecosystem goals of lifelong learning, skills mobility, and age-inclusive employment. This initiative contributes to economic security for workers over 50, enhances labor-market diversity, and supports the retention of workforce experience and productivity in an aging society.

Resources

ARP. (n.d.). Work & Jobs. AARP. https://www.aarp.org/work/

AARP Foundation. (n.d.). Workforce development and employment programs. AARP Foundation. https://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/about-us/workforce-development.html

AARP Foundation. (n.d.). Back to Work 50+. AARP Foundation. https://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/our-work/income/back-to-work-50-plus.html

AARP Foundation. (n.d.). Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). AARP Foundation. https://www.aarp.org/aarp-foundation/our-work/income/scsep/

AARP Foundation. (2024). Annual report 2024: Empowering older adults for economic security. AARP Foundation. https://annualreport.aarpfoundation.org/

AARP. (2025, January 16). New AARP survey shows sharp increase in number of older Americans seeking job change. AARP Press Center. https://press.aarp.org/2025-1-16-New-AARP-Survey-Sharp-Increase-Number-Older-Americans-Seeking-Job-Change

AARP Data Stories. (n.d.). The lived experience of adults 50+: Work. AARP. https://datastories.aarp.org/the-lived-experience-of-adults-50-plus/factors/work/index.html