Target Initiative for the Older Workers (TIOW)
Putting Experience to Work is a 16-week project for people 55 and over
who are looking for work and feel they lack the skills for new
employment.
The project is part of the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers
program, funded federally through Service Canada and provincially
through the Department of Labour and Workforce Development. The Acadia
Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship is the sponsoring
organization, collaborating with the Windsor Job Resource Centre.
"Just because you are over 55 years old, it doesn’t mean you don’t have
a lot to contribute," said lead facilitator Juanita Hiscock of the
Windsor centre.
"We are getting people back out into the workforce. Our focus is mainly
on helping people recognize the skills they already have, but we also
train participants in new skills such as computer applications, to
adapt to the 21st century."
The program, which is just winding up in Windsor, started in November
with 12 clients. The first six weeks were spent exploring career
options, developing job search tools and enhancing skills and
confidence. Workshops included one-on-one counselling, presentations by
local employers and job research. Participants received an allowance
during this period.
"The last 10 weeks we work toward finding successful employment for the
clients," Ms. Hiscock said. "Some of them may even consider starting
their own business."
Indeed, of the 12 participants in the Windsor program, four have started their own business.
Ms. Hiscock is hoping that programs such as this will continue. "The
outlook for this type of funding looks very good. The government wants
older workers to be an integral part of the modern workforce and that
is the goal of (the) program."
For more information, contact the Acadia Centre for Social and Business Entrepreneurship at 1-877-232-2723./
( gparker@herald.ca)
TIOW Group December 2007