OTTAWA,
18 October 2006 –
Dr. Colin Carrie, Member of Parliament for Oshawa and Parliamentary
Secretary to the Minister of Industry, is pleased to support the
Conservative government’s new initiative for Older Workers announced
this week by the Hon. Diane Finely,
Minister of Human Resources and Social Development.
Minister Finley introduced the
Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW), a two-year, $70
million program designed to help older workers in communities of
250,000 or less with ongoing high unemployment or a high reliance on
either a single employer or an industry affected by downsizing or
closures.
“Canada’s New Government is taking action to assist older workers
who have been left jobless by industry downturns. I support this
federal and provincial bilateral program which will see skills
upgrading and work experience to help older workers stay in the
workforce,” commented Dr. Carrie.
“Throughout my professional career I have benefited from the wisdom
and skills of older colleagues, and I have experienced the positive
impact they have on companies and communities when they are
continually incorporated.”
Any person who is between the age of 55-64, who has lost his or her
job, and needs skills for successful integration into new employment
and lives in an eligible community, may apply to this program.
Projects will include activities such as skills assessment,
counseling, skills upgrading and work experience for new jobs.
The provincial and territorial governments will share the costs
alongside the Federal government and will be given significant
flexibility in identifying vulnerable communities for programming,
and in designing and delivering projects.
The TIOW will target communities experiencing ongoing high
unemployment and/or a high reliance on a single employer or industry
(i.e. 20 per cent of the labour force) affected by downsizing or
closures.
“The working people of Oshawa can benefit from the skills and
talents of older workers and this initiative is aimed at doing just
that.”
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