Staff report

Workers 40 and older who are seeking employment are invited to attend the AARP Foundation and The Employment Guide job fair from noon-4 p.m. Sept. 23 at Gateway Community College, 108 N. 40th St., Phoenix, main building.

The fair is an opportunity to bring together mature workers with companies who seek their talents. Phoenix's Employ job fair is part of the Employ the Mature Workers Job Fair Series, taking place in more than 55 cities across the country through Oct. 23.

Participating employers represent industries such as health care, customer service, hospitality, finance, sales, insurance, skilled trades, transportation, security and more.

The job fair series takes place in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor's National Employ Older Workers Week, Sept. 22-26, 2008.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2000, 13 percent of the U.S. workforce was 55 and older and, by 2010 that figure will likely increase to 17 percent. Nearly seven out of 10 workers age 45-74 tell AARP that they plan to work in some capacity in retirement.