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91Ӱ�� has joined a group of community colleges from across the nation in a program to train 10,000 baby boomers over the next two years for jobs in health care, education and social services, while helping them complete certificates or degrees. The group consists of 100 community colleges that were chosen to join the Plus 50 Encore Completion Program offered by the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC).

“The goal of the Plus 50 program is to offer workforce training programs that prepare older adults for new careers,” said Dr. Sarah Plunkett, 91Ӱ�� Assistant Dean for Health Sciences. “We believe this program aligns perfectly with the vision of 91Ӱ�� by offering an inclusive, engaged center of life-long learning that transforms the world by empowering learners intellectually, culturally and socially. We offer various programs and services for these over 50 students as they make up six percent of our College’s overall enrollment.”

Plus 50 adults will be able to train for careers such as medical transcriptionists, pharmacy technicians, respiratory therapists, certified nursing assistants, daycare workers, child development associates, substitute teachers, clinical laboratory assistants and other day jobs.

“Baby boomers who are out of work or want to transition into new career fields need to update their skills. Community colleges are affordable and working to help baby boomers, even if they’ve never stepped on a campus before,” said Mary Sue Vickers, director for the Plus 50 Imitative at AACC.

In addition to providing grant funds that augment college workforce training programs, participating colleges gain access to toolkits and extensive marketing resources tailored to reach baby boomers. They also benefit from advice and support of staff at the other community college that have successfully implemented programs for older learners and understand the unique needs of the Plus 50 student population.

The Plus 50 Encore Completion Program is funded with a $3.2-million grant to AACC provided by Deerbrook Charitable Trust. The Plus 50 Encore Completion program supports AACC’s work to increase the number of students who finish degrees, certificates, and other credentials. In April 2010, AACC committed alongside other higher education organizations to promote the development and implementation of policies, practices and institutional cultures that will produce 50 percent more students with high quality degrees and certificates by 2020.