WA Colleges Step Up to Train the Boomer Workforce
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May 19, 2008
Vancouver, WA – About half the Baby Boomer generation plans to work at least part-time in retirement, and Washington's community colleges are gearing up to help with their career choices. Three Washington schools are among only 15 in the nation to get new grants to create programs especially for students over age 50.
Clark College in Vancouver is one of them. Tracey Reilly Kelly, manager of the school's Continuing Education program, says they'll use the money for courses to train health care workers and people who want to start, or work in, food and wine businesses.
"Instructors find that they really love to teach the over-50 learner because the amount of experience that the student brings--the wisdom--means that sometimes the class can take a little bit of a different direction, which usually goes in favor of the learner."
Reilly Kelly notes money has been tight for continuing education, so the three-year grants will help meet the growing demand for classes without costing students more.
"Often that's an area where a community college needs support. We try to get all of our support from student fees, but boy, it's expensive to develop new curriculum."
The other two schools are Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, which will add classes on sustainability and environmental science; and the Community College of Spokane, using its grant money for job retraining and distance learning, including online classes. The schools also will share their programs and results with others around the country.
The grants were given by the American Association of Community Colleges (www.aacc.nche.edu) as part of the "Plus 50 Initiative" funded by The Atlantic Philanthropies.