Waterbury, Conn. –NVCC will soon be able to serve its population of older students and the business community even better, through a grant provided by the Plus 50 Encore Completion Program.

The program is a national effort to train older adults for new jobs in healthcare, education and social services. Sponsored by the American Association of Community Colleges, the initiative will assist baby boomers in preparing for new careers by updating their skills and training for new jobs quickly and affordably.

NVCC is one of 36 new colleges recently selected for the project, which will assist adults aged 50 and over in completing degrees or certificates in high-demand occupations that give back to the community.

Students enrolled in the program will prepare for careers as human service-oriented workers such as group home counselors and social workers.

The program will serve the community’s increasing number of older adults, as well as NVCC’s  300 students aged 50 and over that comprised the student population this year.

AACC Plus 50 Initiative Director Mary Sue Vickers said the community college environment is best for older adults looking to gain more skills for a different job. A recent study showed that 89 percent of Plus 50 students agreed their training helped them acquire new job skills, and 72 percent landed a job through their schooling.

“Many adults age 50 and older want to train for new jobs that help others and are hiring, but they need to update their skills,” said Vickers. “Community colleges offer a supportive environment where baby boomers can train for new jobs quickly and affordably, while completing a marketable degree or certificate.”

NVCC will begin offering Plus 50 Encore classes in Human Services this fall. For more information, contact Zakiyyah Abdul-Lateef at (203) 565-9788.