Community Colleges Targeting Boomers
by Robyn Tellefsen
Wanting to make a difference in the world is not an ambition exclusive to youth. Even the young at heart are demonstrating a desire for meaning in their lives, and yes, their careers.
In fact, in a 2008 study by Civic Ventures and MetLife Foundation, half of the 44-70-year-old respondents expressed interest in encore careers -- work that combines greater meaning and social impact with continued income.
But where can boomers overcome obstacles to acquire the skills they'll need to succeed in an encore career? The answer: community college.
Boasting accessibility and affordability, community colleges are in a unique position to provide boomers with clear pathways to get from the end of their midlife careers to the beginning of their encore careers. That's why Civic Ventures and MetLife Foundation launched the Community College Encore Career Grants program last year, providing 10 community colleges with substantial grants to prepare boomers for work in education, health care, and social services.
The colleges piloted innovative approaches in career transition courses, curriculum development, community partnerships, supportive student services, and job placement. They offered greater flexibility in scheduling, convenient locations as well as online options, fast-track programs, streamlined procedures, peer mentoring and networking opportunities, and direct access to employers.
Community colleges doing it right
For example, Collin College in Allen, TX, targeted boomers who have been laid off or retired from engineering and technology careers, and helped them get fast-track certification to become high school math and science teachers. Staff at Owensboro Community and Technical College in Kentucky partnered with the local hospital to train experienced nurses as adjunct faculty. And GateWay Community College in Phoenix, AZ, joined forces with local employers to develop courses that train boomers for careers as caregivers. More than 90 percent of the students who completed the program at GateWay have already been placed in caregiver positions.
Other community colleges are jumping on the boomer bandwagon as well. Through the American Association of Community Colleges' Plus 50 Initiative, 15 two-year colleges have received grants to create or expand campus programs to engage the 50+ population in learning, training, and retraining programs, and volunteer, civic, and service activities.
The facts are clear: boomers want meaningful work, and the service sector is wanting for workers. Community colleges are the quintessential matchmakers, providing students with the skills they need to succeed in their new careers.
In fact, in a 2008 study by Civic Ventures and MetLife Foundation, half of the 44-70-year-old respondents expressed interest in encore careers -- work that combines greater meaning and social impact with continued income.
But where can boomers overcome obstacles to acquire the skills they'll need to succeed in an encore career? The answer: community college.
Boasting accessibility and affordability, community colleges are in a unique position to provide boomers with clear pathways to get from the end of their midlife careers to the beginning of their encore careers. That's why Civic Ventures and MetLife Foundation launched the Community College Encore Career Grants program last year, providing 10 community colleges with substantial grants to prepare boomers for work in education, health care, and social services.
The colleges piloted innovative approaches in career transition courses, curriculum development, community partnerships, supportive student services, and job placement. They offered greater flexibility in scheduling, convenient locations as well as online options, fast-track programs, streamlined procedures, peer mentoring and networking opportunities, and direct access to employers.
Community colleges doing it right
For example, Collin College in Allen, TX, targeted boomers who have been laid off or retired from engineering and technology careers, and helped them get fast-track certification to become high school math and science teachers. Staff at Owensboro Community and Technical College in Kentucky partnered with the local hospital to train experienced nurses as adjunct faculty. And GateWay Community College in Phoenix, AZ, joined forces with local employers to develop courses that train boomers for careers as caregivers. More than 90 percent of the students who completed the program at GateWay have already been placed in caregiver positions.
Other community colleges are jumping on the boomer bandwagon as well. Through the American Association of Community Colleges' Plus 50 Initiative, 15 two-year colleges have received grants to create or expand campus programs to engage the 50+ population in learning, training, and retraining programs, and volunteer, civic, and service activities.
The facts are clear: boomers want meaningful work, and the service sector is wanting for workers. Community colleges are the quintessential matchmakers, providing students with the skills they need to succeed in their new careers.
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