Human Resources, Labour and Employment
September 16, 2009
Minister Applauds Role of Project
Sponsors in
Helping Older Workers Reenter the Workforce
The Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human
Resources, Labour and Employment, met with Targeted
Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) project sponsors
yesterday at a workshop held at the Comfort Inn in St.
John�s. The two-day session, which wraps up today, was
designed to bring community-based project sponsors
together with government staff to share best practice
procedures and approaches, thereby enhancing the
experiences of their clients.
"The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers is one of
the key ways we are supporting mature workers in rural
communities who have been displaced during this current
period of rapid economic change," said Minister
Sullivan. "Through the efforts of community-based
project sponsors, many of these displaced workers are
now learning how to make their experience applicable in
other industries. They are acquiring new skills that
make them more employable, and building the confidence
needed to transfer into new career opportunities."
The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers is a
federal-provincial cost-shared initiative aimed at
providing employment support to unemployed workers aged
55-64 who live in communities that have been severely
impacted by downsizing or business closures.
The success of the TIOW has grown over the past year.
In 2008, 10 TIOW projects assisted 127 older workers in
various areas of the province. This year, 16 projects
are helping 260 participants. This past March, the TIOW
program was officially extended to 2012.
"The Provincial Government is very supportive of the
groups which are implementing TIOW projects at the
ground level," added Minister Sullivan. "Not only does
this program benefit the participants, but project
sponsors also benefit as they gain access to a workforce
of mature, experienced workers who are eager to apply
their skills in new areas. I would encourage all local
employers and community groups to consider the 2010 TIOW
program."
For more information on 2009-10 TIOW projects, visit
www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2009/hrle/0717n02.htm.
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Media contact:
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Human Resources, Labour and Employment
709-729-0753, 690-2498
jennifercollingwood@gov.nl.ca
2009 09 16 11:20 a.m.