Transcript 50 at Community Colleges of Spokane

Plus 50 at CCS
American Association of
Community Colleges
Funded with a grant from Atlantic
Philanthropies
Northwest Region Plus 50 Conference
February 10, 2010
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
Boomers at CCS: Enrollments
2007-08
20,000
18,644
18,000
16,000
14,000
12,000
12,081
10,000
of Students
7,268
8,000
6,000
4,859
4,000
4,144
2,419
837
2,000
0
IEL Only
Enrollments
SFCC Only
157
IEL/SFCC
1,415
SCC
CCS Total
WA State
served highest
number of 50+
students in
2005
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?
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
In Their Own Words…
Marty Koontz
Unexpected financial
problems sent this 45year 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.”
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.”
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
Medical Office Application Strand
• Medical Terminology (hybrid)
• Office Scheduling w/ MediSoft
• Office Procedures – 1 month
• Customer Service – 1 month
• Social Networking –1 month
NEW
Accounting/Bookkeeping Strand
• Quicken for Personal Money
Management
• QuickBooks for the Workplace
(hybrid)
Manufacturing
• Blueprint Reading
• Amatrol
• Safety (online)
Greening Your Future 40-hour class
NEW
Features of Career Builder
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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
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
CCS Statistics
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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
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.
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
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
They are…
Marty Koontz
• 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.”
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.”
What’s Next
CEO Center at Maggie
– Career, Employment and Opportunity
– Collaboration with IEL Counseling
Department
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Career Direction
Labor Market Research
Resumes
Interviewing
– Answering those pesky questions
Working with the colleges
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
That’s our story…
and we’re sticking to it!
Thank you!!