Windsor, Ontario, January 5, 2012— A joint initiative by the governments of Canada and Ontario will help 179 unemployed older workers in Windsor improve their skills and get job experience to help make the transition into new careers.
The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable Glen Murray, Ontario’s Minister of Training, College and Universities, today announced that both governments are teaming up to provide more than $1.7 million in funding to deliver projects under the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers program (TIOW).
“Our government’s top priority is jobs and the economy. Helping unemployed older workers is a key element in our economic recovery,” said Minister Finley. “Through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, we are helping people in Windsor make the transition to new jobs.”
“Investing in Ontario's workers is our number one priority,” said Minister Murray. “This program is an opportunity to show our support for older workers here in Windsor so they can continue to use their experience and know how to keep this great city growing.”
TIOW is part of the Government of Canada’s broader strategy to create an educated, skilled and flexible workforce. The Government highlighted its commitment to this strategy in the Next Phase of Canada’s Economic Action Plan with an additional investment of $50 million. To date, this initiative has helped over 16 000 unemployed older workers retrain for new careers.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, please visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
For an audio quote of Minister Finley (for your use), please click here.
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This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.
For further information (media only):
Alyson Queen
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Ralph Benmergui
Ministry of Training, College and Universities
416-314-7067
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) 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 years living in a city or town with a population of 250,000 or less that is experiencing high unemployment or significant downsizing or closures.
To help unemployed older workers, the Government of Canada launched TIOW in 2006 with a $70 million commitment. Another $90 million was invested in 2008 and the Initiative was extended to March 31, 2012. Canada’s Economic Action Plan made an additional $60 million available for the same three years. Most recently, in Budget 2011, the Government provided a further $50 million and extended TIOW over the next two years until March 31, 2014.
