While some community colleges are focused on issues associated with older adults who have already retired, others have begun to seize the opportunity to prepare the 50+ population as a new workforce resource. Community colleges are well positioned to help boomers refresh and update existing credentials and skills, prepare for career changes and enhance overall employability. Community colleges can build on their strong external links with local leaders in business, government, education and the nonprofit sector to better understand labor market shortages, identify training and education needs and advance flexible job tracks that fit people over 50.

• Accelerated teacher preparation programs that prepare older adults to become K-12 teachers in high-need subject areas like reading, math and science
• New flexible, compressed certificate, degree and transfer programs in such areas as early childhood education, social work, allied health, gerontology and nonprofit management
• New practitioners – nurses, social workers, teachers – who want to reenter the labor market or move to a new role in their field
• Creative, collaborative marketing campaigns geared to 50+ adults that are run by community colleges and their partners
• Partnerships with nonprofit organizations to help boomers transition from the private sector into jobs as executives, financial managers and program directors in the nonprofit sector
• Targeted outreach to prepare under-represented and low income 50+ adults for new careers in education, environment, health care and social services

The 2010 grants will take a more targeted approach focusing on specific jobs in health care and education.