Targeted Initiative for Older Workers
If you’re an unemployed individual between the ages of 55 and 64 you may be interested in the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) program. The program works to provide employment assistance services and employability improvement activities, such as skills upgrading and work experience, to assist unemployed older workers with their return to work. Back in October of last year, it was announced that the TIOW agreement would be extended to March 31, 2014, so there is still plenty of time to apply for assistance. To date, over 4,000 people living in BC have been given the opportunity to participate in TIOW projects, and with this extension we expect to help many additional workers retrain for new careers. So if you’re interested in applying for this fantastic program, please call or visit the service providers listed below.
Please note that the TIOW program is “targeted” to specific communities that have experienced high unemployment or been affected by industry downsizing or closures. For this reason, the program is not offered in some communities.
How it Works
TIOW is a federal-provincial/territorial cost shared initiative, where the design and delivery of the project is managed by the province. The program is aimed at unemployed older workers in cities and towns that:
-
have a population of 250,000 or less; and
-
are experiencing ongoing high unemployment; and/or
-
have a high reliance on a single industry affected by downsizing or closures.
To be eligible, participants must:
-
be aged 55 to 64*;
-
be unemployed;
-
be legally entitled to work in Canada;
-
require new or enhanced skills to successfully transition into new employment; and
-
live in an eligible community.
*In some circumstances, unemployed workers aged 50 to 54 or 65 and over may also participate. Please contact your specific service centre to see if you’re eligible.
Locations/Contacts
|
Location |
Agency |
Project Name |
Contact Information |
|
Burns Lake |
College of New Caledonia |
Return to Work for
Older Workers -
Increasing
Employability and
Employment prospects
|
(250) 692-1722 |
|
Castlegar |
Ashland Training Concepts
Ltd. |
Opportunities for
Mature Workers |
(250) 365-0966 |
|
Courtenay |
Creative Employment Access
Society |
Vintage Advantage |
(250) 334-3425 |
|
Cranbrook |
College of the Rockies |
East Kootenay Older
Workers Program |
(250) 489-2751 |
|
Fernie |
College of the Rockies |
East Kootenay Older
Workers Program |
(250) 489-2751 |
|
Grassy Plains |
College of New Caledonia |
Return to Work for
Older Workers -
Increasing
Employability and
Employment Prospects |
(250) 692-1722 |
|
Kimberly |
College of the Rockies |
East Kootenay Older
Workers Program |
(250) 489-2751 |
|
Mission |
ETHOS Career Management
Group Ltd. |
Experience Works -
Mobile |
(250) 741-8116 |
|
Port Alberni |
INEO Employment Services
Inc. |
Assisting Mature
Persons with
Employment
Direction - AMPED |
(250) 723-4675 |
|
Prince George |
Prince George Employment
Services Society |
Seasons Employment
Program for Older
Workers |
(250) 564-8044 |
|
Quesnel |
Quesnel Employment
Services |
Experience Counts |
(250) 992-7691 |
|
Revelstoke |
Okanagan College |
Experience Works! |
(250) 837-4235 |
|
Smithers |
Kopar Administration Ltd. |
Opportunities North
Employment Program |
(250) 564-3545 |
|
Squamish |
T.I.I. Training Innovations
Inc. |
Encore Employment
Program |
(250) 298-4757 |
|
Terrace |
Terrace and District
Community Services Society |
Mature Career
Opportunities |
(250) 635-7995 |
|
Vernon |
North Okanagan
Employment Enhancement
Society |
Employment Plus |
(250) 545-0585 |
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