Plus 50 Students: A Growing Community College Market American Association of Community Colleges Funded 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 Initiative III.What Our Community College Is Doing IV.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 Game The 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

Joliet Junior College Plus 50 Initiative

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 Community College Now - Plus 50 Completion Initiative

Joliet Junior College Now - Plus 50 Completion Initiative

A Maturing Labor Force Will 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.

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