BACK TO WORK 50+ at ACC information sessions begin Thursday, August 6
The Austin Community College District (ACC) is holding information sessions for a new program created in collaboration with AARP Foundation to help women over 50 find new careers, gain skills, and build financial security.
Information sessions for the program, called “BACK TO WORK50+ at Austin Community College”, begin Thursday, August 6, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Highland Campus ACCelerator (6101 Airport Blvd.). Additional sessions continue through November.
“It’s time for me to take charge of my future. I spent the past couple of decades out of the workforce, raising children,” says Maria Smith. “This is my chance to catch up with technology and gain new skills. I want to be employable. I want to find a job. I can’t afford to fall behind.”
According to AARP Foundation, Americans age 50 and older represent the largest overall increase in long-term unemployment. Older women bear the greater share of this burden: 60 percent of women 65 and older have incomes insufficient to cover basic expenses.
“It can be difficult and disheartening to start a career change after 50, but it’s not impossible,” says Stacey Güney, BACK TO WORK 50+ at ACC coordinator. “This program will equip older women with the tools for success so that they can compete in the job market today.”
BACK TO WORK 50+ at ACC will include a set of integrated core services for qualified participants:
- Employer access
- Community building
- Individual and group coaching
- Computer skills coaching
- Academic coaching for job skills training
- Financial capability building
Additional information sessions will be held at Highland Campus on the following days:
- Tuesday, August 11, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, September 8, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 13, 1 – 3 p.m.
- Tuesday, November 10, 1- 3 p.m.
BACK TO WORK 50+ at Austin Community College is funded by a $300,000 grant from AARP Foundation through the Social Innovation Fund. Austin Community College is a proud sub-grantee of the SIF program under a grant provided from the Corporation for National and Community Service to AARP Foundation.
To register for a session, call 855-850-2525. For more information visit aarp.org/backtowork50plus or contact Stacey Güney at 512-223-7351 or at [email protected].
Tags: AARP, AARP Foundation, ACCelerator, BACK TO WORK 50+, Highland Campus
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By Gwyn Thrower August 7, 2015 - 6:51 pm
I wish I had seen this sooner! I would love help starting a new career. I have a part time job that pays $10 an hour. That only covers my health insurance! I tried taking an ACC course on Apartment Leasing last year but was rejected by the industry for months and finally gave up. I am working in a related field but just 2 days a week and one of those days is Tuesday so I can’t really take off! Could you tell me where I should be looking for a full time decent paying job at 54? Will you be offering more of these sessions on a different day? I can certainly spread the word to my former classmates that also could not find a job after the Apartment Leasing class. Thanks for your help!
By Stacey Guney August 8, 2015 - 11:42 pm
The first information session was held on a Thursday evening. We will be expanding the information sessions to other days/times in the next few months. We will ensure that we continue to promote these additional sessions as they become available
By Lillian Huerta August 10, 2015 - 9:08 pm
Wonderful opportunity for our community!
By Enedelia Obregon August 11, 2015 - 5:21 pm
What does it mean “for qualified participants”? Does one need to meet federal guidelines for poverty?
Thanks.