Plus 50 Students: A Growing Community College MarketAmerican Association of Community CollegesFunded with grants from the Deerbrook Charitable Trust and the Lumina Foundation

Presentation Overview

I. Baby Boomers: Redefining Life Amid Recession Fallout

II. The Plus 50 InitiativeIII. What Our Community College Is DoingIV. Why Your College Should Get Involved

I. Baby Boomers: Redefining Life Amid Recession Fallout

“The future ain’t what it used to be.”-Yogi Berra

The Recession’s Fallout: Unemployment & Economic Woes

Job loss in the Great Recession was the most severe of any recession since World War II.

Retirement accounts lost $2.7 trillion (31%) of their overall value.

Unemployment: The Waiting GameThe average jobless person between the ages of 55 and 64 will spend 44.6 weeks, or nearly a year, looking for a new job.

Plus 50 workers are playing an increasing role in the workplace

II. The Plus 50 Initiative

It’s an innovative program at community colleges nationwide that is reaching out to adult learners who are age 50 and up.

What is the Plus 50 Initiative?

• Flexible scheduling.• Easy access.• High-demand workforce

training programs.

Community Colleges: Ideal for Plus 50 Adults

How Community Colleges Are Adapting to Plus 50 Students

St. Louis Community

College-

Plus 50 Initiative

2008 - 2011

Joliet Junior CollegePlus 50 Initiative

2008 - 2011

72% of students agreed that college workforce training helped them get hired for a job

About 90% of plus 50 students in workforce training programs agree that their plus 50 courses have helped them acquire new skills or improve upon their current job skills.

Colleges Help Baby Boomers Get Back on the Job

The Completion Strategy

Who is participating – Community Colleges

Will you join us?

100 colleges

10,000 Plus 50 adults will earn certificates or degrees in healthcare, education or social service occupations

Grant RFP available May 2012

High Demand Fields That Give Back

• Education• Social Services• Healthcare

III. What Our Community College Is Doing

St. Louis CommunityCollege Now

-Plus 50

Completion Initiative

2012 - 2014

Joliet Junior College Now

-Plus 50

Completion Initiative

2012 - 2014

A Maturing Labor ForceWill County occupations with the highest percentage of workers age 50 and older are:• Insurance Agents (57%)• Physicians (55%)• Supervisor/Managers (53%)• Secondary School Teachers (53%)• Registered Nurses (53%)

Occupations with the largest number of workers in the 50 and older cohort include:• Elementary School Teachers

(2,912)• Truck Drivers (2,094)• Registered Nurses (1,168)• Retail Sales Persons (1,087)• Supervisors/Managers (1,083)

IV. Why Your College Should Get Involved

Plus 50 adults make up a growing population

interested in returning to school.

Boost enrollment and enrich campus life.

Learn from your peers.

Make a difference and give back to your community.

http://Plus50.aacc.nche.edu

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