ECC to offer job coaching to those 50 and over through Back to Work 50+ program

Elgin Community College's office of Workforce Development & Continuing Education, in partnership with the AARP Foundation, is offering Back to Work 50+, a job coaching program for people 50 years of age or older who are unemployed or underemployed.

The free program, available at ECC's Spartan Drive Campus, 1700 Spartan Drive, will provide participants with the information, support and training they need to regain employment and advance in the workforce.

The AARP Foundation's Back to Work 50+ initiative offers Seven Smart Strategies information sessions and a coaching program where job candidates aged 50 and older can learn how to update their personal marketing tools and networking strategies, target their job search on in-demand jobs, get job leads, and find resources to help them stay strong while they're looking for their next work opportunity.

"The AARP Foundation Back to Work 50+ program has helped over 110 women and men return to the workforce," said Anne Hauca, managing director of workforce development & continuing education at ECC. "The program provides a supportive environment where participants learn the value of social media to market themselves, job search using new technology, and the value of working in a multigenerational workplace. After completing the program, they are ready to return to the workforce with the skills and confidence to succeed."

Back to Work 50+ helped Kira Absolon of Elgin find employment as an operation analyst at Wells Fargo Commercial Finance.

"When I was laid off, the way I went about searching for a job was the same as I had done before. After having limited success, I met with the Back to Work 50+ AARP coach at ECC and discovered that there were so many fresh ideas and ways to market myself that I was not aware of," she said. "They provided specifics on what words to use in my resume, recommended formats and offered free editing and advice. They also gave me tips on what to say in an interview, how to dress, body language, and energy."

To get a free job search guide and register for a local Back to Work 50+ Seven Smart Strategies session, call toll-free (855) 850-2525. Upcoming sessions will be Wednesday, Oct. 11 at ECC and 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Oct. 18 at Gail Borden Library, 270 N. Grove Ave. in downtown Elgin. Preregistration is required in order to attend.

For additional information on the program, visit elgin.edu/plus50.