Bridgewater, Nova Scotia—Up to 24 unemployed older workers in Bridgewater and Liverpool, Nova Scotia, will receive help to improve their skills and re-enter the workforce through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW). The announcement was made today by Gerald Keddy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of International Trade, for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and for the Atlantic Gateway and Member of Parliament for South Shore–St. Margaret's, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, together with Gary Ramey, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Lunenburg West, on behalf of the Honourable Marilyn More, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education, Government of Nova Scotia.
“Our government’s top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity,” said Mr. Keddy. “Through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, we are helping unemployed older workers living in small communities in Nova Scotia develop their skills so they can transition into new jobs.”
Together, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia are investing over $217,000 in the Putting Experience to Work project in Lunenburg and Queens counties. Participants will receive training, including computer, essential skills and job-search training, participate in counselling and gain hands-on work experience to improve their employability. After graduating from the program, participants will have access to follow-up support.
“When I talk to older workers in our communities, they tell me that it can be hard for them to find jobs,” said Mr. Ramey. “Yet, these people have the skills and experiences learned over a lifetime to contribute to our workplaces. That is why the province continues to support them in finding rewarding jobs where they can make a real difference.”
The TIOW is one of the Government of Canada’s initiatives that help unemployed Canadians stay connected to the job market. It also helps address labour shortages.
“The project is based on our entrepreneurial decision-making cycle,” said Findlay MacRae, Executive Director, Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship (ACSBE). “The combination of workshops, training and one-on-one career or business coaching provides a solid foundation for all participants, yet allows each to create her or his own path, building confidence and self-worth.”
To date, the TIOW has targeted more than 20 000 unemployed older workers across Canada, including 960 in Nova Scotia. The initiative provides retraining for new careers and supports the Government of Canada’s broader strategy to create an educated, skilled and flexible workforce.
To learn more about Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Marian Ngo
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
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Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
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This news release is available online at www.actionplan.gc.ca.
The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) is a federal‑provincial/territorial cost‑shared initiative that provides individuals with employment assistance services, such as résumé writing and counselling, and employability improvement activities, such as skills upgrading and work experience. The TIOW assists unemployed older workers, aged 55 to 64 years, who live in a city or town with a population of 250 000 or less that is experiencing high unemployment, significant downsizing or plant closures.
The Government of Canada launched the TIOW in fall 2006 and has since contributed $270 million in funding and extended the initiative until March 31, 2014.
The TIOW launched with a commitment of $70 million for programming to March 31, 2009. Budget 2008 invested another $90 million to extend the initiative for three years, to March 2012. Canada’s Economic Action Plan (EAP) 2009 provided an additional $60 million over that same period. In 2011, the TIOW was extended to March 31, 2014, with a further $50 million, and EAP 2012 reiterated this commitment.
