A.L. man earns national recognition for service

Experience Works, the nation’s largest nonprofit training and employment organization for older workers, has honored Paul Carstens of Albert Lea for his outstanding service to local older workers.

Carstens recently received the organization’s Changing Lives award, which recognizes his efforts to help low-income, older workers obtain the training they need to find good jobs in their communities.

“We’re very proud to recognize Paul Carstens’s outstanding efforts to assist older individuals who desperately need to find jobs,” said Billy Wooten, executive director of program operations for Experience Works. “The current economic situation has forced many older people to look for employment, and Paul is dedicated to helping them re-tool and re-enter the workforce.”

A nonprofit organization, Experience Works offers job training services in Minnesota, 29 other states and Puerto Rico through the Senior Community Service Employment Program. The community-based program helps low-income, mature individuals enter the workforce, secure more challenging positions, move into new career areas or supplement their incomes.