FROM STAFF REPORTS

Job seekers who are 50 and older are updating their skills and receiving free job training through the AARP Foundation and Jefferson State.

The BACK TO WORK 50+ program is designed to help unemployed men and women over the age of 50 update their job-search skills and, in some cases, get short-term job training. At Jefferson State, eligible participants may receive tuition assistance to enroll in training programs that would prepare them to work in medical coding, office management and more.

“These sessions are designed to provide information about many resources the college, in partnership with AARP Foundation, has available to those over 50 years of age,” said Tamara Payne, director of career and job resources for Jefferson State. “These resources include a coaching program that can help those over 50 update their networking skills, give detailed information about the local job market and help them to access short-term job training.”

“These sessions also help the participants develop computer skills training, assist them with cover letters and interviewing techniques, and help them to use technology to advance their job search” Jefferson State’s Director of Community and Corporate Education Kay Potter said.

AARP Foundation launched its BACK TO WORK 50+ initiative in Denver in 2013 and expanded it this year to Alabama and several other states. The foundation cited more than 3 million 50+ people across the country are searching for full-time work.

In Alabama, only half of residents between the ages of 55 and 64 are employed, and many are not unemployed by choice, according to AARP Alabama.

“Thanks to AARP Foundation and Jefferson State, many can have an opportunity to brush up on their job-search skills or even get help to train for a new line of work,” said Candace Williams, interim state director of AARP Alabama. “We encourage those over the age of 50 to come to these sessions and take advantage of these opportunities.”

To get more information and register for the workshops, call the AARP Foundation at 1-855-850-2525 or call Jefferson State at 856-8588.

Future dates for the free workshops at Jefferson State include:

•April 10, Jefferson Campus, 1-3 p.m.

•April 11, Shelby-Hoover Campus, 1-3 p.m.

•April 17, Jefferson Campus, 10 a.m.-noon

•April 18, Shelby-Hoover Campus, 10 a.m.-noon

•May 15, Jefferson Campus, 1-3 p.m.

•May 16, Shelby-Hoover Campus, 1-3 p.m.

•June 5, Jefferson Campus, 10 a.m.-noon

•June 6, Shelby-Hoover Campus, 10 a.m.-noon

•July 10, Jefferson Campus, 1-3 p.m.

•July 11, Shelby-Hoover Campus, 1-3 p.m.

•Aug. 7, Jefferson Campus, 10 a.m.-noon

•Aug. 8, Shelby-Hoover Campus, 10 a.m.-noon

•Aug. 21, Jefferson Campus, 1-3 p.m.