National unemployment rates exceed 10 percent - fallout from the recent recession. But hardship has extended to many who thought their working days were over.

Declines in the stock market over the past year, and the resultant effect on investments, mean that many people will be retiring later than they expected - and many retirees are looking to re-enter the work force.

"Over the past year, there's been a 69 percent increase in older workers being unemployed," said Richard Sartori, an employment and business coordinator for Experience Works.

Originally named Green Thumb when it was founded in 1965, Experience Works is one of the nation's leading providers of training, employment and community service for low-income older people.

Sartori, who works out of the organization's Colo office, aids workers age 55 and older by helping them develop job skills.

For many older workers, it has been decades since they've had to fill out a job application or resume.

"People know what skills they have, " he said. "We can help them translate them into the language employers are looking for."

Many people, said Sartori, have worked in a particular job for many years and may not realize for what jobs they are qualified.

"People often have a lot of transferable skills," he said

Through the Senior Community Service Employment Program offered by Experience Works, older workers can receive on-the-job training.

The program pays wages of the worker during the training period, Sartori said.

Contact Jesse Helling at (515) 573-2141 or jhelling@messengernews.net