EDMONTON, ALBERTA, January 25, 2011 - A joint initiative of the governments of Canada and Alberta is helping unemployed older workers learn new skills to assist them in finding and keeping new jobs.
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, along with the Honourable Thomas Lukaszuk, Minister of Employment and Immigration for Alberta and the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Public Works and Government Services, announced that the two levels of government are providing over $10 million for the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers.
"When Canadians lose their jobs, we want to help them get back into the workforce as soon as possible," said Minister Finley. "That is why, through Canada's Economic Action Plan, we introduced a number of measures, such as the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers that are helping Canadians get back into the workforce."
"For Alberta to continue to have a strong economy, all segments of our labour force must have the opportunity to be fully engaged, including older workers," said Alberta Minister of Employment and Immigration Thomas Lukaszuk. "Funding through this agreement will help provide older workers impacted by the recession with the assistance they need to find employment and contribute to the economic recovery in smaller communities."
"In partnership with the Province of Alberta, our government is helping older workers get the support, training and skills development opportunities they need to find jobs and adapt to the changing economy," added Minister Ambrose.
In 2009, Canada's Economic Action Plan provided an additional $60 million nationally for the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers over three years. The Economic Action Plan is the Government of Canada's strategy to protect the economy by helping Canadians. To learn more about the Plan, please visit the following website: www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Terry Jorden
Public Affairs Officer
Alberta Employment and Immigration
780-868-0762
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers is a federal provincial/territorial cost shared initiative that provides employment assistance services and employability improvement activities, such as skills upgrading and work experience, to assist unemployed older workers aged 55 to 64 living in a city or town with a population of 250 000 or less and experiencing ongoing high unemployment, and/or significant downsizing or closures.
The Government of Canada launched the Initiative in 2006 with a $70-million commitment, and it invested another $90 million in 2008 to extend the Initiative to March 31, 2012. Canada's Economic Action Plan provided an additional $60 million nationally for this initiative over three years.
To date, 267 projects have been funded under the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers to assist over 13 900 unemployed older workers across Canada.
