Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories team up to help unemployed older workers in the Behchoko area secure jobs

YELLOWKNIFE, Feb. 20, 2014 /CNW/ - 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.

Quick facts

• The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers is a federal-provincial/territorial cost-shared initiative that provides unemployed older workers with employment assistance services and training.
• To date, the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers has helped more than 32 000 unemployed older workers across Canada, including over 100 in the Northwest Territories.

Quotes

"Our government's top priorities are creating jobs, economic growth and long-term prosperity. Through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, we are helping unemployed older workers in the Behchoko area develop the skills they need so they can find jobs."
- The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Employment and Social Development

"The Government of the Northwest Territories has an interest in ensuring capable people are supported to remain in the workforce as long as possible. This initiative is particularly exciting because participants will be able to build on traditional knowledge and expertise toward meaningful employment."
- Jackson Lafferty, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment, Government of the Northwest Territories

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Backgrounder

Associated Links

Targeted Initiative for Older Workers

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backgrounder

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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.

SOURCE: Canada's Economic Action Plan

Jacqueline McKinnon
Manager, Communications and Public Affairs
Department of Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-920-6222
[email protected]

Alexandra Fortier
Office of the Minister
819-994-2482

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
[email protected]
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