Speaking Notes
for
the Honourable Diane Finley
Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development
to announce
extension of the Canada-British Columbia
TIOW agreement
Victoria, British Columbia
October 10, 2012
2:00 p.m.
Hi folks, and thank you for your kind words of introduction.
If Victoria has become the ideal retirement community, it’s thanks to the hard work of the pioneers who have made your capital what it is today.
And I’m not just talking about the explorers who first came here and traded with the Salish First Nations, but the “seasoned veterans” here on the Island who have worked hard to give us the standard of living we enjoy today.
Unfortunately, some of these older workers living in small communities in British Columbia have been affected by downsizing and plant closures, most often after having worked for years in the same industry.
This can be a tough situation at any age. But when someone is 55 to 64, this is really difficult, and asking him or her to transition to a new job may be a real challenge.
With the realities of the current global forecast and the growing need for a flexible workforce, these transition challenges impact our economy’s health.
Our economic performance has been far better than that of many countries around the world, particularly in Europe.
In fact, since July 2009, over 820,000 new jobs have been created in Canada.
We can’t lean on this record of success because Canada is still facing significant challenges that threaten our economic growth.Here at home, we are facing high unemployment in some regions, and labour shortages in others. And, in some cases, we are facing the paradox of labour shortages in areas of high unemployment.
Our government’s top priorities are job creation, economic growth and long-term prosperity for Canadians and we believe it is absolutely critical to address the challenges of labour and skills shortages.
This is why we need to ensure that our older workers who want to work, are given the support they need to adapt their skills and return to work.
This is why I am so pleased to be here with my colleague from the Province of British Columbia, the Honourable Pat Bell, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister responsible for Labour, to make an announcement that will come as good news to older workers.
Through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, we are making available a further $6.5 million to help unemployed older workers in British Columbia acquire the skills they need to make the transition into new jobs.
To date, the Initiative has helped more than 18,500 older workers across Canada to re-skill themselves, take advantage of the work experience they have gained throughout their lives, and make a successful return to the labour market.
Let me tell you about two of them—a couple of women who hail from the Comox Valley.
Barbara Price had been a personal assistant and property manager. Perri Gorarra was a designer in the film industry before she lost her job.
Barbara and Perri were frustrated with their job search until they entered the Vintage Advantage Program, which was designed by the province under the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers.
Early on, they realized that their individual business ideas blended well. Barbara and Perri took advantage of training offered under the TIOW to become certified wedding planners.
They combined their planning, customer service, creativity and design skills, and established a new business partnership.
They called it Awesome Wedding Planners!
This is just one example of how the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers can provide support to help older workers kick-start a new business.
But it doesn’t have to be a new business. The TIOW can help older workers get all kinds of jobs.
And the jobs are out there.
Last June, there were 263,000 vacancies across the country.
Often, there is a “disconnect” between the needs of employers … and the supply of skilled labour to fill those needs.
So, I’d like to issue a challenge to all employers across the province… if you have a job opening, why not consider an older worker?
With a little bit of re-skilling, many of the job vacancies I mentioned can be filled by hard-working, seasoned workers with proven talents. Their experience can be adapted to the changing needs of the economy.
Our government is committed to working in partnership with the Provinces and Territories and other organizations to help get Canadians back to work…and to diversify our workforce.
And we believe that the focus must include youth, foreign workers, Aboriginal people and older workers.
Older workers are the backbone of our communities. You know what it takes to get the job done.
Your experience is invaluable to the strength of our economy.
I’d like to hear about more success stories like that of Barbara and Perri and I look forward to supporting partnerships that will ensure that all Canadians get the chance they deserve to continue to participate in our work force.
Thank you.
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