The department shall carry on a continuing program of education, information, research, study, and community organization concerning the problems of older workers in seeking, obtaining, and holding employment without discrimination on account of age. The department shall create such local advisory agencies as in its judgment will aid in effectuating the purposes of this section, and may empower them to study the problems of discrimination on account of age and all problems relating to employment programs for older workers, and to foster through community effort co-operation among the various groups and elements of the population of the State and to make recommendations to the department for the development of policies and procedures to carry out the purposes of this section. Such advisory agencies shall be composed of representative citizens, serving without pay.