February 20, 2014 – Yellowknife, Northwest Territories – Employment and Social Development Canada
Unemployed older workers in the Behchoko area will receive help to improve their skills and re-enter the workforce through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers. The announcement was made today by the Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development.
Together, the governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories are investing over $285,000 in a project that will provide participants with skills upgrading, hands-on experience, and safety training and certification. Graduates are expected to get jobs, such as instructors and guides, in the Behchoko tourism industry.
Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to renew the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers for three years, representing a federal investment of $75 million.
As part of the Government of Canada’s plan for jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity, the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers helps connect Canadians with available jobs.
Jacqueline McKinnon
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-920-6222
Jacqueline_McKinnon@gov.nt.ca
Alexandra Fortier
Office of the Minister
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Follow us on Twitter
Targeted Initiative for Older Workers
The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) is a federal-provincial/territorial cost‑shared initiative that provides unemployed older workers (normally between the ages of 55 and 64) with employment assistance services and employability improvement activities, including skills upgrading and work experience.
TIOW assists unemployed older workers in small, vulnerable communities of 250 000 or less that are experiencing high unemployment, significant downsizing or closures to re‑integrate into employment.
Economic Action Plan 2014 proposes to renew TIOW for a three-year period, representing a federal investment of $75 million, and expand the Initiative’s eligibility to communities experiencing unfulfilled employer demand and/or skills mismatches.
