May 20, 2010
Older Workers Plus New Skills Equal Better Jobs

PRINCE GEORGE– Funding of $428,000 will help older British Columbians in Prince George and Smithers gain new skills and employment opportunities through the Canada - British Columbia Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) program.

“We are starting to see some real positive movement in our economy’s recovery and that means new employment opportunities” said Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell. “For older workers who have had to deal with unemployment, we are equipping them with further skills and retraining to be well-positioned for new opportunities.” 

“We know that in the coming decade, there will be a revitalized demand for a variety of new skills among our northern labour force,” said Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond.  “We want to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, has the necessary qualifications to meet the current and future needs of employers.”

The program will be delivered through the region’s Opportunities North Employment Program project and will target 64 unemployed older workers. The TIOW is a federal-provincial/territorial cost-shared program to help unemployed older workers, primarily those aged 55 to 64 living in communities affected by high unemployment. This is one of 23 projects announced this week that will deliver a range of employment and skills training in 30 B.C. communities for close to 800 older British Columbians. Through the TIOW, individuals can get the skills they need to find and keep new jobs, or start their own business.

"It is essential that all Canadians have the opportunity to contribute to the Canadian economy," said the Honourable Diane Finley.  "Canadian workers are the backbone of our economy and it is important that our experienced workers in the labour force have the opportunity to update their skills so they continue to contribute to the economy."

Since 2008, over 1,700 British Columbians in more than 30 communities have been assisted through the TIOW. Including new projects announced today, over $21 million has been committed to helping B.C.’s older workers.

In 2009/10, over 25,000 British Columbians benefitted from more than 25 different employment and skills training programs funded as a result of the Canada-B.C. Labour Market Agreement, the Strategic Training and Transition Fund and the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers program, helping to meet the needs of British Columbia’s labour market. 

Visit Pat’s website at www.patbellmla.bc.ca . Visit Shirley’s website at www.shirleybondmla.bc.ca

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