AARP and the San Diego Mature Workforce Committee Present: 50-Plus Works! Learn to Earn! Forum, Nov. 7th

      

SAN DIEGO, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Older workers are returning to school to improve their job opportunities at a time when many have to postpone retirement or go back to work because of the tough economy. To help boomers and retirees prepare for the classroom, AARP and the San Diego Mature Workforce Committee are hosting the event, 50+ Works! Learn to Earn! Learning Forum on Saturday, November 7, 2009 (8:00am-2:30pm) at the San Diego Continuing Education Educational Cultural Complex.

50+ Works! is designed to emphasize the importance of lifelong learning, and to help boomers compete for the future through personal assessment, skill building and career retraining. Attendees will get advice on managing their mid to late careers by upgrading their computer skills, taking continuing education courses, earning certification programs and identifying hot jobs in the area.

Most of today's jobs require additional education or training to meet current marketplace demands. By returning to school, older workers can gain a competitive edge in this changing work environment.

Like other age groups, 50+ workers have been adversely affected by the economic downturn. The unemployment rate for aged 55 and over has risen in recent months, reaching 6.4 percent in April. Once unemployed, older workers continue to remain out of work longer than their younger counterparts.

The forum is a FREE educational event and will feature experts and exciting sessions; interaction with career counselors and local colleges; community resource tables and information job seekers can use to help them fine tune their job search.

SPEAKERS & HIGHLIGHTS

    --  Keynote Speaker: Gail Albright, member of AARP's Board of Directors and
        former chief membership officer for the Society for Human Resource
        Management
    --  Carleen MacKay, Workforce Policy Advisor for AARP California, co-founder
        of her own firm - "Ageless in America" and author
    --  "Hot Careers" and "Lifelong Learning" Roundtables featuring local
        companies, aging experts and major learning institutions
    --  Online learning labs featuring lessons to improve basic computer skills
        and practical ways to use technology to enhance the job search process
        will be offered throughout the day
    --  Community resource tables featuring representatives from San Diego's
        major educational institutions

    --  Resource bags for each attendee

For more information and a listing of sessions, visit www.learningforumsd.org. The event is free, but registration is required by calling 1-877-926-8300. Complimentary breakfast, lunch and self-parking provided.

San Diego Mature Workforce Committee: 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.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership organization that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the world's largest-circulation magazine with over 35.5 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARP's 40 million members and Americans 50+; AARP Segunda Juventud, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

SOURCE AARP