Workers already reaching their golden years could be a good fit to help small businesses weather the labor storm.

“Seniors are wanted big time,” says Renee Ward, founder of www.seniors4hire.org. “National retailers, casual dining restaurants and business service companies told me they have openings, but can’t find enough qualified people to fill the positions.”

Employers told Ward that golden-agers are perfect candidates. They’re flexible in their schedules. They’re reliable and have strong work ethics. Years of on-the-job experience have given them the soft skills necessary for successful participation in the workforce.

But for many companies, the biggest barrier to hiring senior employees is the “perception gap.” Employers sometimes regard older employees as lacking enthusiasm and energy, resistant to new ideas, more prone to illness and more frequently absent.

Those myths don’t hold up. Experience Works is a national, nonprofit organization that offers training, employment, and community service opportunities for mature workers. Each year the group honors outstanding older workers with The Prime Time Awards. The awards identify the most outstanding older worker in each state.

These Prime Time Award workers put the older-worker myths to shame and show that their generation still has plenty of knowledge and value to bring to the workplace.

For example, take David Lopez, who earned a Prime Time Award in 2003. At 81 years old, Lopez is a heavy equipment operator for ConAgra Cattle Feeding Company in Greeley, Colo. He started his career at the company in 1942. Although he tried retirement once, within six months he was back to work.

Then there’s Margie Breaux. Rayne Appliance in Rayne, La., hired her nine years ago. Now at age 67, Breaux is responsible for sales, collections and secretarial duties.

These mature workers aren’t exceptions to the rule. They’re proof that age barriers are breaking down in the workforce. Small-business owners who want to avoid a labor crunch would do well to develop positions where seniors can contribute.