Community colleges lure in career-changing Boomers

The recession has more high school seniors looking at community colleges as an affordable alternative to four-year programs, but as older Americans face a changing job market, they're also looking to these under-appreciated institutions as an opportunity to improve their skills.'

Even the Wall Street Journal (subscription required) -- a beacon of elitism and Ivy League arrogance -- is getting in on the act. The weekend edition reports that "The humble community college is turning out to be one of the best resources for older adults seeking new directions -- and new jobs -- in later life. From coast to coast, two-year public institutions are streamlining existing training programs and designing new ones to help people approaching retirement or facing midlife layoffs. Among the programs created so far: vocational counseling, accelerated certification in health and education specialties, and help with small-business start-ups."