ECC receives grant to help workers over 50 get back to work

Elgin Community College has been awarded a grant from AARP for its Back to Work 50+ program. The college will receive a total of $165,142, over a two-year period, which includes tuition up to $1,800 for 32 students per year. Students will receive training in the areas of health care, office administration, and human services. They also will be provided orientation, coaching, financial literacy, training scholarships, and special access to employers.

The primary objective of the program is to link employers and train providers with unemployed or underemployed workers age 50 and over to create a pipeline of trained, prescreened, and qualified workers available for employment in regionally in-demand occupations.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded the grant,” says Anne Hauca, director of Workforce Transitions. “It will provide needed resources to a large population residing in the ECC district. Currently, many workers over the age of 50 need to re-skill in order to return to the workforce, but lack the financial resources to enroll in education or training.”

According to AARP, more than 3 million workers over age 50 are looking for full-time employment. Through these grants, the AARP Foundation and the American Association of Community Colleges commit to working with community colleges to support the unique needs of older adult women and men who face specific and challenging barriers to overcome unemployment and re-enter the workforce, thereby strengthening regions’ overall economic vitality and promoting systemic change.

For more information, contact Anne Hauca, director of Workforce Transitions, at (847) 214-6951.

Ÿ Send Your news to nbrcalendar@dailyherald.com.