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Many training options available for baby boomers looking to reboot careers
TIFFANY L. PARKS
Special to the Legal News
Published: February 27, 2014
As scores of baby boomers continue to seek out encore careers instead of settling into a leisure-based retirement, Clark State Community College is joining the mix.
Since officials announced late last year that the college has been chosen to join the Plus 50 Encore Completion Program, a national effort to train 10,000 baby boomers for new jobs in health care, education and social services, Jennifer Dietsch, Clark State director of marketing, said a lot of students have inquired about the initiative.
“Clark State is always looking for new ways to support our diverse students,” Dietsch said.
“We are very involved in workforce development in the communities we serve and there is a need for both medical assistants and trained medical office professionals. The local workforce includes individuals who are looking to retrain for new careers.”
Created to showcase the most current and innovative programs at community colleges that engage learners age 50 and over, the Plus 50 Encore program was launched by the American Association of Community Colleges in 2008.
The Plus 50 website declares it to be “a program that works.”
According to the website, 89 percent of students participating in the venture told an independent evaluator that college workforce training helped them acquire new job skills and 72 percent attributed landing a job to such training.
Clark State, which has campuses in Springfield, Beavercreek and Bellefontaine, received $15,000 to support 40 students over two years.
“Carrie Inmon, a Clark State advisor, has been identified to work with these students and has already worked with several of them,” Dietsch said.
Clark State says that with many adults age 50 and over out of work or seeking to transition to a new career, the program will offer skill updates and career makeovers for baby boomers.
“The college will assist adults age 50 and over in completing degrees or certificates in high-demand occupations that give back to the community,” according to a Clark State press release.
Clark State President Jo Alice Blondin said the college’s involvement in the Plus 50 Encore program will enhance the college’s ability to attract baby boomers who are looking to enter the healthcare job market.
“The U.S. Department of Labor projects the demand for medical assistants to increase by 31 percent through 2020. Graduates of the program will have an array of employment options,” she said.
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