URBANA - People 50 and older seeking jobs might be able to find one Wednesday at the Experience Works job fair in Urbana.

At least 10 area employers will tell of openings and take job applications that day, and three other companies will explain self-employment opportunities.

The job fair runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Urbana Civic Center, 108 E. Water St. Free parking is available on the civic center's lot that day, with meter fees being waived.

"Our focus is people 50 and older, but this is open for the general public, with the economy making it so difficult to find employment," said Stacey Parr, the Experience Works employment and training coordinator for a seven-county area.

Parr said she has seen more older workers seeking employment this year.

"We come across a lot more people who are very high-skilled who are trying to get back in the workforce," she said. "With the economy and downsizings, many lost jobs and are needing to get back into work."

Plus, some people have done one type of work all their life and are no longer physically able to do that, she said. They have to learn new skills to find employment.

Employers planning to attend the job fair include: the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, FedEx Ground, Provena Home Health Care, Walgreens, Baymont Inn and Suites, Stout Building Services, Land of Lincoln Goodwill, Kelly Services, Elite Marketing Interactions and the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission.

Outlining self-employment opportunities will be Tastefully Simple, Dove Chocolate Discoveries and Shaklee Products, Parr said.

Social service agencies will also be on hand to provide information to older job-seekers.

The fair will include workshops on the half-hour. The schedule includes:

10:30 a.m.: Minor Jackson of Parkland College will discuss green jobs and training opportunities for them.

11 a.m.: "Dress to Impress" style show in which Experience Works participants model what to wear and what not to wear.

11:30 a.m.: Illinois workNet will explain its skills-match system and skills identification.

Noon: Champaign Consortium representatives will explain how to create and build resumes and discuss three kinds of resumes.

12:30 p.m.: Experience Works representatives will discuss how to fill out applications and how to apply for jobs online, as well as proper interviewing skills.

Throughout the fair, laptop computers will be available for those who would like to apply for jobs online. Older workers who bring details of their work history can get help in creating a resume.

Parr said job applicants should come dressed appropriately for interviews. They should bring resumes, if available, and come prepared with questions for employers.

Employers who would like to attend the fair but have not yet made arrangements to do so can contact Parr at 923-5793 or e-mail her at stacey_parr@experienceworks.org.

Experience Works provides employment and training for older people in 30 states and Puerto Rico. It receives funding from the U.S. Department of Labor under the Older Americans Act.

The regional office covers Champaign, Vermilion, Douglas, Edgar, Coles, Clark and Cumberland counties.

This is the second year Experience Works has sponsored a job fair in Urbana. Last year more than 100 people attended the fair.

The workshop is co-sponsored by the Champaign County Regional Planning Commission.