AACC Plus 50 Initiative

Advancing Learning for Our

Diverse Adult Population

March 3, 2010 Washington, D.C.

The Demographic Revolution:It’s Here

Our nation faces a demographic revolution as 78 million baby boomers enter their retirement years.

• A baby boomer turns 50 every 7.5 seconds.

Boomers Go Plus 50

• Thanks to advances in healthcare, the traditional “third stage” of life has also expanded.

• Most baby boomers can expect to spend three decades in retirement.

The New “Third Stage” of Life

Plus 50 adults want to stay actively engaged in the workplace, in education and in service opportunities.

Not the Stereotypical Retirement

Percent change in labor force by age, projected 2008-2018

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Future Job Demands:

GROWTH:– Reasoning– Written expression– Decision making– Interpersonal skills

DECLINE: – Physical demands

The Plus 50 Adult:A Dramatically Different Type of Community College Student

Community Colleges Offer Options and Possibilities

Short-term training for a new career can get an unemployed worker back on the job and earning money in a matter of months, not years.

Community Colleges in the US

Three focus areas:

• Plus 50 Learning

• Plus 50 Training & Re-Training

• Plus 50 Volunteering

• Personal enrichment

• Workforce training and career development

• Volunteering

Community Colleges Offer a Range of Programs

An outdated stereotype of the “older

learner” needs to be discarded.

Community CollegesFocus More on Enrichment

Tailoring Workforce Courses for Plus 50 Needs

Colleges often do not tailor workforce training and career development programs to plus 50 student needs

Tailoring Workforce Courses for Plus 50 Needs

Existing courses marketed to plus 50 learners

Existing courses re-designed for plus 50 learners

Courses developed specifically for plus 50 learners

Enrichment Focused Plus 50 Programs May Hurt Community College Bottom Lines

Challenges Community Colleges Face

Tuition waivers policies

Challenges Community Colleges Face

Some state funding formulas are biased against part-time students, causing a revenue drain for a college that offers programs for plus 50 students.

Community College Programs for Workers

Workforce training & career development programs help plus 50

adults prepare for new careers during a turbulent economy.

Adjusting to Campus Life

Colleges are ready to help plus 50 students return to the classroom.

Know your customer: conduct a high-quality needs assessment

Customize workforce training and career development programs to match the needs and objectives of plus 50 students.

Concentrate more on support services that can help plus 50 students integrate into campus life.

Provide additional tailored financial aid that goes beyond the state-mandated

tuition waivers.

Put policies in place that streamline registration for plus 50 students

Call to Action: Remember that even though some need financial aid, the plus 50 age group also represents a valuable market and source of revenue.

Growth in Credit and Non-Credit Plus 50 Workforce Training Courses

Enrollment of Plus 50 Students in Workforce Training Courses(Changes from Baseline to Year One)

Career Counseling and Career Workshops(Changes from Baseline to Year One in Number of Clients Served)

Plus 50 Initiative Website

http://plus50.aacc.nche.edu/