Unemployed? More Education May Help

Nickle and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich is a book about how difficult it is to be part of the working poor and getting by on a life in minimum wage territory. You could read that book or check out a workshop sponsored by called, “Creating Economic Stability Through Education.”

Ehrenreich’s book was met with controversy when it was first published in 2001. Since then others have tackled the subject almost in defense of the American Dream, that you can start with $25 in your pocket, work hard and buy a car and land an apartment like Adam Shepard did in 2008.

The idea that education leads to economic stability is an old one, certainly put to the test in the last decade when the demographic that has the hardest time finding and keeping a job in this market has been workers over 50 years of age, along with young black males. According to statistics put out by the Connecticut Department of Labor of the third quarter of 2010, of the 39,900 unemployed in the Bridgeport-Stamford Labor Market unemployed black minorities represented was 29 percent, Hispanic minorities 21 percent and white unemployed represented 38 percent. Backgrounds in service, office and administrative support jobs represented 33 percent of the unemployed job seekers.

The college’s workshop, which runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on March 5,  is free and focused in particular on heads of households. NCC requires pre-registration due to space limitations.

The workshop agenda covers everything about the college’s resources and support services, educational opportunities for adult learners, community resources, and what to expect when returning to college to earn a degree.

The workshop is jointly sponsored by the college's Family Economic Security Program (FE$P), the NCC Student Activities Office, and the college's School and Community Partnerships Office.

To register for the workshop, call (203)857-7237 and reference “CRN 2838.”

You can also register in person by visiting the college's Records Office in Room 102 in the East Campus building, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Thursday, or 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday. Or call for more information (203) 857-7361.

Editor's note: A ConnecticutWorks career coach who was scheduled to be available at on March 7 has canceled the visit. The next time a career coach from the organization is scheduled to be at the library is April 4.