Mature Workers - Don't Retire - Inspire!

50+ Works! Learn to Earn

Learning Forum

The San Diego Mature Workforce Committee held the 50+ Works! Learn to Earn Learning Forum on Saturday, November 7, 2009. It was a learning event to promote lifelong learning and educational opportunities for mature workers.

There were many learning opportunities for the attendees, who each received a copy of a new publication, Plan B: for Boomers and Beyond, written by Carleen MacKay, author, AARP CA Workforce Policy Advisor, and nationally recognized expert on mature workforce issues.

Following the opening welcome by Ellen Schmeding, Deputy Director of San Diego County's Aging and Independent Services, the key note address was delivered by Gail Aldrich, AARP Board Member.

The attendees were able to attend a Learning Lab selected from the following options.

Option 1: What's So Different (pdf) About Managing Your Mid to Late Career? ... Everything!" - Carleen MacKay, AARP CA Workforce Policy Advisor, and author, Plan B: for Boomers & Beyond.

Option 2: "Marketplace Trends: Employment and Job Search Trends" - Rosanna Indie, Director of Community Relations, jobing.com

Option 3: "Internal Analysis: Creating Your Personal Brand" - Ravin Armelin, Instructor, San Diego Continuing Education

Option 4: "Marketplace Alignment: Harness the Power of Marketing to Sell Your Skills to Employers" - Charlotte Tenny, Employment Specialist, Senior Employment Program - Employment & Community Options; and Dan Vaccaro, Business Development Director, Phoenix University, San Diego.

Option 5: " The Challenges and Barriers Experienced by the Mature Worker (pdf): Facts and Tips for Dealing with and Overcomnig Age Bias and Myths" - Ellen Schmeding, Deputy Director of San Diego County's Aging and Independent Services

• Participants identified advantages that mature workers bring to the workplace and challenges faced upon re-entry.
• Using Myth Cards, participants identified the current attitudes some employers may have towards mature workers and debunked those myths through interviewing role playing.
• Participants can use the Myth Card information and practice experience to address age biased attitudes and questions that may arise during an interview.  

After the Learning Labs two panel discussions followed covering “Hot Careers” and “Ageless Learning”.

"Hot Careers and How to Get Them": Facilitator: Gary Moss, Labor Market Intelligence Specialist, San Diego Workforce Partnership
Panel:

• Trevor Blair, Business Development Director, Manpower-San Diego
• Victor Buzachero, Vice President Human Resources, Scripps Health (AARP Best Employers 2009)
• Cecile Cowan, Program Director, Workforce Development, Occupational Training Services
  
  

"Ageless Learning": facilitated by Alan Ray, Senior Editor, KPBS-FM, San Diego
Panel:

• Vicki Krantz, Director, Business & Technology Programs, UCSD Extension
• Michael Lacourse, Dean, School of Health and Human Services, National University, San Diego
• Otto Lee, Vice Chancellor, Instructional Services, San Diego Community College District
• Dan Vaccaro, Business Development Director, Phoenix University, San Diego

Additionally, attendees participated in learning labs demonstrating online courses and upgrading their computer skills lessons.

Attendees also were provided information on the San Diego  County Career Center Network that are funded by the San Diego Workforce Partnership. To find a career center near you or to obtain labor market information for San Diego County visit: www.SanDiegoAtWork.com.

The San Diego Mature Workforce Committee is composed of AARP California, Aging & Independence Services – a division of the County of San Diego Health & Human Services Agency, jobing.com, San Diego Continuing Education, San Diego Workforce Partnership, and Senior Employment Program – Employment & Community Options.