BRIDGEWATER, NOVA SCOTIA, OCTOBER 11, 2007— Almost 200 unemployed older workers across the province will receive help to find work, thanks to a new program called the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW).
A joint investment of $1.8 million was announced today, October 11, 2007, by Member of Parliament for South Shore-St. Margaret's, Mr. Gerald Keddy, on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Honourable Karen Casey, Minister of Education, in support of this Initiative.
"An aging population is causing the work force in Nova Scotia to change, and our government is committed to providing educational resources to assist older workers through these changes," said Minister Casey. "Our older workers are a valuable resource, and this program supports our efforts in providing them with the support they need to obtain and upgrade their skills."
The first 13 projects funded under the TIOW will be delivered by organizations across the province that support older workers. The support will include employment assistance activities, essential skills upgrading, preparation for self-employment, and work experience.
"Canada's New Government has made a commitment to creating the best-educated, most-skilled and most-flexible work force in the world," said MP Keddy. "These community programs will help at least 190 older workers in Nova Scotia to upgrade their skills, benefit from job counselling, and gain work experience."
The TIOW also supports the efforts of existing programs such as Nova Scotia's Age Advantage Initiative. This program is a recommendation under the TIOW, and was designed to help displaced and unemployed older workers navigate life and work changes.
The TIOW is a $70 million federal government commitment that provides programming nationally until March 31, 2009. Under this Initiative, the provinces and territories that choose to participate have the responsibility for identifying vulnerable communities, and for the projects' design and delivery. The participating provinces and territories then work with organizations in affected communities to develop the projects.
"At NSCC, we welcome and support learners and industry partners of all ages, cultures, career backgrounds and aspirations," said Dr. Joan McArthur-Blair, President of Nova Scotia Community College, and grant recipient. "Diversity is an essential contributor to our province's prosperity. Older workers contribute great knowledge and experience to the success of our economy, and they serve as role models for the next generation of industry leaders."
The TIOW is part of the federal government's two-part strategy for assisting older workers. In addition to the TIOW, an Expert Panel on older workers has been appointed to study labour market conditions affecting older workers. The Panel is looking at other potential measures to help older workers, including improved training and enhanced income support. The TIOW offers programming to meet the immediate needs of unemployed older workers pending the outcome of the study.
To obtain further information, please visit www.olderworker.ca.
This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
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For more information (media only):
Ms. Pema Lhalungpa
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Solberg
819-994-2482
Ms. Chrissy White
Communications Coordinator
Department of Education
902-424-0011
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
Backgrounder
The intent of the projects funded under the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) is to help participants secure employment through activities such as employment assistance, essential skills upgrading, preparation for self employment, and work experience.
The Government of Nova Scotia is in charge of the design and implementation of the projects delivered through this Initiative. These projects are therefore specifically designed to meet the needs of unemployed older workers in vulnerable communities across the province.
The projects represent an investment of almost $1.55 million from the federal government, and $295,000 from the provincial government, for a total of over $1.8 million. It is expected that approximately 190 unemployed older workers from across Nova Scotia will be able to take part in one of these projects.
Here is a brief description of the projects.
Western Area Women's Coalition - TIOW project ($134,618)Project by the Western Area Women's Coalition to help 12 workers from the Annapolis, Digby and Kings counties.
Employment Solutions Society - Bridgewater project ($76,308)Project by the Employment Solutions Society to help 15 workers from Bridgewater and Lunenburg.
FutureWorx - Truro project ($97,265)Project by the FutureWorx Society to help 15 workers from the Colchester East Hants area.
Guysborough County Community Business Development - TIOW project ($174,735)Project by the Guysborough County Community Business Development Corporation to help 14 workers from Guysborough County.
Association de développement LeMoine - ICTA project ($202,652)Project by the Association de développement LeMoine to help from 6 to 10 workers from the Chéticamp and St-Joseph-du-Moine area (Inverness County).
Northside Economic Development Assistance Corporation Older Workers Project ($155,461)Project by the Northside Economic Development Assistance Corporation to help 16 workers from Cape Breton Island.
New Waterford Employment Resource Centre - TIOW project ($118,864)Project by the New Waterford Employment Resource Centre to help 12 workers from New Waterford.
Nova Scotia Community College - Pictou Campus project ($232,841)Project by the Nova Scotia Community College, Pictou Campus, to help 15 to 20 workers from Pictou County.
Pictou County Regional Development - TIOW project ($229,375)Project by the Pictou County Regional Development to help 12 workers from Pictou County.
Richmond County Literacy Network - TIOW project ($112,037)Project by the Richmond County Literacy Network to help 12 workers from Richmond County.
NSCC Burridge and Shelburne - TIOW project ($100,708)Project by the Nova Scotia Community College to help 8 workers from the Shelburne County.
Valley African Nova Scotian Development Association - TIOW project ($72,494)Project by the Valley African Nova Scotian Development Association to help 25 workers from the Valley-Northwestern section of Nova Scotia.
Acadia Centre for Social Business Entrepreneurship - TIOW project ($134,796)Project by the Acadia Centre for Social Business Entrepreneurship to help 18 workers from Bridgewater and Lunenburg.
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