| May 20, 2010 OLDER WORKERS BENEFIT FROM ACCESS TO TRAINING KAMLOOPS – New funding of $341,000 will help older British Columbians in Kamloops gain new skills and new employment opportunities through the Canada - British Columbia Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) program. “In today's world there are older workers looking for retraining opportunities,” says Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Terry Lake. “This federal-provincial partnership will help fund the education needed to remain competitive in the workforce.” “This investment in training for older workers will support people going through job transitioning later in life,” says Kamloops-South Thompson MLA Kevin Krueger. “This program is just one way we are helping British Columbians in need.” 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. Kamloops is one of 23 projects 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," says the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. "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, more than $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. -30- | |
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