Plus 50 at CCS

1. Plus 50 at CCS American Association of Community Colleges Funded with a grant from Atlantic Philanthropies Northwest Region Plus 50 Conference February 10, 2010

2. Plus 50 Institute for Extended Learning • Very strong Seniors Program • Our funded project • Three 6-week session • Focus on job search with computer skills • 15 students/45 total • 180o turn… thanks to our Plus 50 Advisory Committee • Revised program • Career Builder

3. Boomers at CCS: Enrollments 2007-08 WA State served highest number of 50+ students in 2005

4. CCS/IEL/BCT Program For Boomers Retired/Not Currently Working/Dislocated • Career / Labor Market Exploration • Career Builder Training Options • Short-term, monthly start, facilitated instruction • Coordinated Job Placement First cohort referrals from AARP/SCSEP • 14 Students • 3-month training • Computer training, QuickBooks, Medical Term, Math and English tune-up, work search • Who are they?

5. In Their Own Words… A family crisis sent Linda to re-skill and get back into the workplace. “I thought there has got to be a program somewhere that will bring me back up to speed, and there was. I found it!” Linda Soares

6. In Their Own Words… Unexpected financial problems sent this 45-year volunteer back to work. “I wanted to polish my computer skills as well as gain marketable skills. My family and friends were very excited for me to participate in this program.” Marty Koontz

7. Mara Greene Retired to Spokane from Soap Lake but decided she needed additional income “How did I get here?” It’s a big jump for a lot of us. Sixty is the new 40; I planned to be really old at this age. I’m not.” “I don’t feel too old for the workplace any longer; now I feel quite optimistic.”

8. Career Builder… Anyone, Anytime, Anywhere Office/Professional Foundation • Computer Apps • Tech Toy Room NEW • Keyboarding • Business English • Business Math • Customer Service • Lean Office • Job Search (online) • Using the Internet for Job Search NEW Accounting/Bookkeeping Strand • Quicken for Personal Money Management • QuickBooks for the Workplace (hybrid) Medical Office Application Strand • Medical Terminology (hybrid) • Office Scheduling w/ MediSoft • Office Procedures – 1 month • Customer Service – 1 month • Social Networking –1 month NEW Greening Your Future 40-hour class NEW Manufacturing • Blueprint Reading • Amatrol • Safety (online)

9. Features of Career Builder • Flexible design • New content each month • Multigenerational student population • Open entry/Open Exit • Extraordinary faculty • Non-credit, FTE generating • Accommodation: dual monitors, transportation service • If you need it, we will get it

10. Boomer-Student Friendly • Prior Learning Assessment • Prove-It! Assessment prior and after learning • Instruction begins where the student is • Flexible • Enroll at the beginning of any month • Flexible scheduling: AM, PM, All Day • Blend of on-ground, online, hybrid classes • Accelerated/Concentrated Learning • 3-month cycles • Instructor facilitated; occasional lectures • Move as quickly as possible; take the time you need

11. CCS Statistics • 18 sessions and counting • 131 students through November 2009 • 507enrollments • 126 completers • Student mix: • AARP, ALTCEW, WRT, WIAx2, DVR, self-pay • Plus 50 is 50%+ of the student mix

12. What they had to say… You start with the thought that you will acquire skills. With the staff at hand it is fun and challenging at times. I am smarter and more confident now. I liked the way the information was presented and people in class participated in the program. Times are changing. Too many people (50+ years old) are set in the old ways and really need retraining. The staff is dedicated to learning. You can’t help learning under these circumstances. Just a great program for 50 and older to learn how to use the computer. A must in today’s society.

13. Where are they now? 131 Students • 44 are working full time or part time • 15 are looking • 7 are continuing their education • 50.3% are working, looking or continuing educ • What are they doing? • AARP/SCSEP at host organizations • Business Services • Insurance • Driving bus; driving truck • Retail

14. They are… • Now a student at SCC in the Medical Assistant Degree program. Vice President’s honor roll. • “Most people in the program… needed a little refresher. It was nice to know you were not alone as you were getting ready to go back to work.” Linda Soares

15. They are… • For 5 months in 2009 Marty worked at Lake McDonald National Park (Glacier Park) Camp Store. “I am now more confident; working in the park was the greatest thing for me to do.” • “This program really encouraged me to learn about myself. I know I did my best and have come out of this program a better person.” Marty Koontz

16. Randy Woolf, WRT dislocated worker • Worked in sales for 30 years in the wood mill industry.  •  “I have more confidence in my computer skills as I apply for positions.  Now I can tell a potential employer that I tested 100 percent on my Excel tests. “  “Going back to school reminded me just how much fun it is to learn.”

17. What’s Next CEO Center at Maggie • Career, Employment and Opportunity • Collaboration with IEL Counseling Department • Career Direction • Labor Market Research • Resumes • Interviewing • Answering those pesky questions Working with the colleges

18. Taking it Beyond the Project Creating awareness and interest locally and statewide • Working with CCS DWDC, Workforce Board, and Workforce Development Councils to ensure the Boomer workforce is part of their strategic plans • Presentations: TV, Conferences, Board meetings, local and state groups • CCS DWDC work plan for 08-09, 09-10 • SAWDC Strategic Plan • Engaging Spokane colleges in more deliberate way

19. That’s our story… and we’re sticking to it! Thank you!!