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Older Workers: Department of Labor Should Help State and Local Partners Share Promising Practices. Q&A Report to Congressional Requesters. GAO-26-107439

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Title: Older Workers: Department of Labor Should Help State and Local Partners Share Promising Practices. Q&A Report to Congressional Requesters. GAO-26-107439
Language: English
Authors: John D. Sawyer, US Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Source: US Government Accountability Office. 2026.
Availability: US Government Accountability Office. 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20548. Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2026
Intended Audience: Policymakers
Document Type: Reports - Research
Descriptors: Older Workers, Older Adults, Federal Government, Public Agencies, Labor, Federal State Relationship, Labor Force Development, Federal Programs, Federal Legislation, Labor Legislation, Job Search Methods, Employment Programs, Vocational Rehabilitation, Dislocated Workers, Employment Services, Job Training, Financial Needs, Age Discrimination, Job Applicants
Laws, Policies and Program Identifiers: Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 2014
Abstract: Older workers represent an increasing share of the U.S. workforce. From 2003 to 2023, individuals 55 and older increased their share of the workforce from 15 percent to 23 percent, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Research has suggested that greater life expectancy, improved educational attainment, and increases to the age for receiving full Social Security benefits are among factors that may have contributed to greater workforce participation among older adults. Federal workforce development programs may help older workers manage challenges that could affect their ability to find and retain jobs, such as demand for new skills or limited knowledge of effective job search strategies. These programs are administered primarily by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Education through a network of state and local partners. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) analyzed DOL and Education program data to compare the employment outcomes of older and younger participants in six workforce development programs (out of 38 programs that serve adults). GAO focused on four core Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs that serve older workers, among other customers, and two other programs in which older workers make up a large share of participants. GAO also held nine non-generalizable discussions with small groups of older workers at job centers in five states to learn from their experiences seeking employment and participating in workforce programs. This report provides findings on the share of workforce program participants who are 55 and older, their perspectives as participants, and their employment rates after exiting the programs. This report also examines the extent to which DOL has helped state and local partners share information to support older workers.
Abstractor: ERIC
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: ED680561
Database: ERIC
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  Data: US Government Accountability Office. 441 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20548. Tel: 202-512-6000; Web site: http://www.gao.gov
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  Data: Older workers represent an increasing share of the U.S. workforce. From 2003 to 2023, individuals 55 and older increased their share of the workforce from 15 percent to 23 percent, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Research has suggested that greater life expectancy, improved educational attainment, and increases to the age for receiving full Social Security benefits are among factors that may have contributed to greater workforce participation among older adults. Federal workforce development programs may help older workers manage challenges that could affect their ability to find and retain jobs, such as demand for new skills or limited knowledge of effective job search strategies. These programs are administered primarily by the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Education through a network of state and local partners. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) analyzed DOL and Education program data to compare the employment outcomes of older and younger participants in six workforce development programs (out of 38 programs that serve adults). GAO focused on four core Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs that serve older workers, among other customers, and two other programs in which older workers make up a large share of participants. GAO also held nine non-generalizable discussions with small groups of older workers at job centers in five states to learn from their experiences seeking employment and participating in workforce programs. This report provides findings on the share of workforce program participants who are 55 and older, their perspectives as participants, and their employment rates after exiting the programs. This report also examines the extent to which DOL has helped state and local partners share information to support older workers.
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