Experience Works honors Silver Dollar City's hiring practices

Experience Works, an Arlington, Va.-based nonprofit training and employment organization for older workers, named Silver Dollar City as Missouri's 2009 Experience Works Champion Employer.

Brad Thomas, Silver Dollar City general manager and senior vice president of Silver Dollar City Attractions, accepts the award from Experience Works representatives, left to right, Susan Jackson-Falls, Vanessa Irons, Diane Chambers and Sheila Thomas.

Experience Works officials said Silver Dollar City was selected based on its track record of hiring and retaining older workers.

With nearly 40 percent of SDC employees ages 55 and older, the Branson theme park actively recruits older workers locally and nationwide.

Park officials refer to older workers as the backbone of the organization, recognizing the level of experience, expertise and dedication they bring to their jobs.