Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia team up to help unemployed older workers in Annapolis Royal

ANNAPOLIS ROYAL, NS, Nov. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - Eight unemployed older women in Annapolis Royal 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 Greg Kerr, Member of Parliament for West Nova, on behalf of the Honourable Candice Bergen, Minister of State (Social Development), together with Stephen McNeil, Premier of Nova Scotia.

"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity", said Mr. Kerr. "Through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, we have helped more than 32 000 unemployed older workers across Canada, including more than 1 100 in Nova Scotia develop the skills they need so they can find jobs."

"This program helps people turn their great talents and life experiences into new opportunities," said Premier McNeil. "These women will now have the skills and the confidence they need to not only re-enter the workforce but to start their own businesses and create jobs for others in their communities."

Together, the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia are investing over $78,000 in the Western Area Women's Coalition's project to help participants gain entrepreneurial skills so that they can establish their own local businesses.

The project will help participants prepare for self-employment through training focused on marketing, budgeting, financing, operational planning and management.

"Over the last few years, this program has provided training and employment for many women in the Annapolis area, benefitting both them and their families," said Della Longmire, Executive Director of the Western Area Women's Coalition. "Not only does the program provide women with essential skills to open a new business, it also teaches us that a new journey can begin at any age."

The TIOW is one of the Government of Canada's initiatives that help unemployed Canadians stay connected to the job market, while addressing skills shortages.

The TIOW 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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Backgrounder

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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, including 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 closures to re-integrate into employment.

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. In total, by March 31, 2014, the Government of Canada will have contributed $270 million in funding to the TIOW.

SOURCE: Canada's Economic Action Plan

For further information (media only):

Andrew McGrath
A/Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of State (Social Development)
819-953-2351

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]
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Laurel Munroe
Press Secretary
Nova Scotia Office of the Premier
902-424-3882
Cell: 902-222-0473
E-mail: [email protected]

IF THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN ANY PRINTED VERSION AND THE ELECTRONIC VERSION OF THIS NEWS RELEASE, THE ELECTRONIC VERSION WILL PREVAIL.

This news release is available online at www.actionplan.gc.ca.