Projects for Older Workers Funded

Thursday, March 27, 2008 03:58 AM

Prince George, B.C. - Two Prince George projects are among the first dozen to be approved for funding through the Canada-British Columbia Agreement on Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) will help older workers living in British Columbia retrain for new careers.

The governments of Canada and British Columbia are jointly awarding over $7.5 million to 12 organizations across the province to deliver community-based projects that will help an estimated 900 unemployed older workers, mostly from the forestry industry.

The federal and provincial governments recognize the value in the experience of these workers, and want to ensure they are able to upgrade their skills and benefit from some job counselling.

Here are the Prince George projects and two others which will impact the Cariboo and the Bulkley and Skeena Regions:

Project name: Experience Counts
Total funding (federal/provincial): $1,171,196 ($983,805/$187,391)
Targeted number of participants: 120
Location of activities: Prince George

Project name: Hubodulh'eh
Total funding (federal/provincial): $156,585 ($131,531/$25,054)
Targeted number of participants: 15
Location of activities: Prince George

Project name: The VIEW Program: Value in Experienced Workers
Total funding (federal/provincial): $539,298 ($453,010/$86,288)
Targeted number of participants: 36
Location of activities: The Cariboo region, including 100 Mile House, Williams Lake and Quesnel

Project name: Mature Career Opportunities
Total funding (federal/provincial): $516,217 ($433,622/$82,595)
Targeted number of participants: 40
Location of activities: Terrace, Kitimat, Hazeltons, Nass Valley

Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Thursday, March 27, 2008 03:58 AM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: gitterdun on March 27 2008 5:30 AM

Sounds great but retrain for what? Head up north to the patch, down south to construction, or next door to Timmys. There are not a lot of choices if they want to stay at home. I don't see a lot of nurses or doctors coming out of unemployed forestry workers. Maybe they could be mechanics so that they could work on all the parked equipment.

Posted by: justamom on March 27 2008 7:29 AM

These programs will only be a benefit to older workers within these communities. I honestly cant see how it will benefit people living in other rural communites, between these points. Especially with the price of fuel.

Posted by: metalman on March 27 2008 8:23 AM

More proof that the government has not a clue what to do, or where to start.
They just throw money at the problem.
Most of it gets wasted. Among the few that actually benefit from these b.s. programs are those who are chosen to administer them, because of course thay contract out the operation of the actual program for each community, or area.
In the past, people had to fend for themselves, if the plant or sawmill closes and you lose your job, you get out and hustle for another job. It's like somehow the taxpayers of the country owe the unfortunate a living. I know it is a different world today than thirty years ago, but don't you think we could benefit from a little 'old school' common sense in the distribution of tax money?
metalman.

Posted by: justamom on March 27 2008 8:54 AM

I also know that any of these people recieving ui benefits are not able to take these courses as they have to be ready willing and able, to return to work. Our mill is on work share and this happened to a young employee trying to gain some sort of a trade through these difficult times. His ui benefits were terminated.

Posted by: Andyfreeze on March 27 2008 2:56 PM

Right on justamom,they negelected to mention how they will fix that!
This is nothing more than spin on the part of the government to make people THINK they are actually doing something and try to make themselves look good.
And really,what it comes down to is what CAN they do with a situation like this?
Not very damn much I'm afraid!

Posted by: metalman on March 27 2008 3:50 PM

We had a guy apply for a job with us when Winton Global shut down the first time, a few months ago. He was willing to quit them, start a new career with us, but wanted (with our encouragement) to take a couple of courses (industrial first aid) There was to be several months delay before he could start the course he wanted, and he wanted to start with us right away, then take time off to complete the course. They were to pay him while at school.
The Unemployment insurance people were only too willing to pay for his course, and pay him to take it, but only if he stayed home and collected uic until the course started. What sense does this make? How is that going to encourage someone to get out and work, when the government wants them to stay home and live off the public tit.
metalman.