Programs funded under Title V of the Older Americans Act (OAA) and administered by the U.S. Department of Labor whose purpose is to develop workforce skills in unemployed, low-income older adults age 55 and older with poor employment prospects. Program participants are assigned to paid community service placements with a non-profit organization or governmental entity for purposes of training and acquisition or improvement of skills that may lead to unsubsidized employment or a job that is not subsidized by the program. In collaboration with the participant, the program must develop an Individual Employment Plan, which outlines steps for achieving goals as determined through personal interviews and assessment instruments. Participants may be offered supportive services such as transportation, counseling, work equipment and other items to assist them in participating in the SCSEP and preparing them for a permanent job.

Individuals between the ages of 40 and 65 years and older depending on the definition used by a particular program. Different organizations use a broad spectrum of ages to determine when they consider an employee an "older worker". For example, The U.S. Department of Labor considers an older worker to be someone age 55 years or older, whereas the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 provides protection for anyone in the workplace older than age 40.