Get Ready to Engage Plus 50

Learners

February 3, 2010Minneapolis, MN

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

The New “Third Stage” of Life

• 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.

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

For Many: Not Working Is Not an Option

Many people will stay in the workforce well into retirement age so they can maximize their Social Security benefits.

Community Colleges Enrollment Surge

Full-time enrollment increased 24.1% in a 2-yeartime period from fall 2007 to fall 2009

Contributing factor: The Availability of WorkforceTraining

• Increased unemployment for workers reinforced the realization that a college certificate or degree was important for obtaining a job

• Retooling—or enhancing a current skill set—was important for job retention as well as for preparing for career changes

Primary source of future employees is current workforce

65% of 2020 Workforce have high school degree, but no postsecondary degree or certificate.

30% of the fastest-growing occupations require post-secondary educational or training credential.

Colleges' Plus 50 Program Focus Areas

Colleges' Plus 50 Program Focus Areas

30%

58%

86%

2008 2009 50% 75% 100%

Service and

Volunteering

Training / Re-Training

Academic / Enrichment /

Personal Interest

Enrichment Focused Plus 50 Programs May Hurt Community College Bottom Lines

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.

Colleges can improve support services that help integrate plus 50 students into the fabric of campus life.

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.

Needs Assessment is a BIG must, for plus 50 programs

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

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

Call to Action: Provide additional tailored financial aid that goes beyond

the state-mandated tuition waivers.

Call to Action: 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.

What have we learned?

http://plus50.aacc.nche.edu/docs/pr/Plus50_Year_One_Evaluation_Report.pdf

Standards of Excellence for Plus 50 Programming

• Plus 50 offerings should be tailored to the needs, interests, and objectives of the plus 50 population.

 • Faculty and staff should receive professional development that provides

them with the skills they need to teach courses and provide services that effectively meet the needs of plus 50 students.

 • Plus 50 offerings should be marketed in such a way that does not appeal to a student’s identity as a “senior.”  • Colleges should publicize student stories to attract plus 50 students to

campus. • Colleges should set up a Plus 50 Advisory Committee to help develop programming and to support sustainability efforts, and should ensure that it includes community partners, as well as people who have expertise with this age group. • Program staff should seek to build an internal constituency for Plus 50 programming at their college to help ensure sustainability.

Plus 50 student outcomes for the workforce training and career development include:

• Improving, increasing, and/or learning new skills;• Increasing excitement about re‐careering;• Learning about new job possibilities;• Preparing for a job search;• Securing a job; and• Receiving job promotions, raises, and new responsibilities.

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/

Publications

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

Promising Practices

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

Student Stories

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

Practical Tips and Tools for Colleges

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

Webinar Presentation Recordings

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