TOPEKA — The annual Older Worker Awards ceremony will be April 24 in Topeka, the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Older Worker Task Force announced this week. The department is now accepting nominations for the awards.

This event honors older workers who continue to play crucial roles in the Kansas workforce and economy, as well as their employers. Honorees will include older workers who are employed in both public and private sector jobs, and businesses and companies that regularly employ workers age 55 and older.

Nominations for workers 55 and older and for companies that employ older workers are due March 31. Nomination forms are available at KansasCommerce.com/OlderWorkers. For more information about the ceremony, call (785) 296-7842 or email [email protected].

Nominations are accepted for three award categories:

• Outstanding Older Worker: Bestows appreciation on an older worker who demonstrates outstanding qualities of leadership, dedication and commitment. Nominations are open to the general public. Nominees must be 55 years or older, residents of Kansas and working at least 20 hours a week in paid employment. Previous winners are not eligible.

• Oldest Worker: Celebrates the tenacity and fortitude of the experienced worker and is awarded on the basis of age of those working for pay. Previous winners are not eligible.

• Employer of the Older Worker Award: Bestows appreciation on a business that promotes, recruits, retains and develops experienced workers, and provides a positive and friendly work environment for older workers.