To help mature workers in Port Alice and Campbell River get the training and support they need for future jobs, the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia will provide more than $300,000 to North Island College (NIC) to deliver the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) program.

A total of 24 workers, 12 from each community, will benefit from the training. The program in Port Alice is currently underway and will continue to the end of July 2016, while the Campbell River program will run from September to December 2016.

The TIOW training in Port Alice and Campbell River supports B.C.’s Community Transition Services efforts and is a direct response to the unfortunate job losses that occurred due to major industry changes in these areas. Port Alice residents were significantly impacted by the curtailment of the village’s primary employer, the Neucel mill, last year. Similarly, Campbell River is also facing significant job losses due to curtailment of the Nyrstar Myra Falls Zinc and Copper Mine and the Hillsborough Resources’ Quinsam coal mine, both major employers in the community. B.C.’s Community Transition Services team has been working closely with community leaders and service providers including North Island College to provide training opportunities as well as support to impacted workers.

TIOW is a successful cost-shared initiative between the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia. The provincial and federal governments launched the TIOW program in 2007 to assist vulnerable communities that are facing labour force adjustments due to changes in the local economy. The program provides skills training and employment support to unemployed older workers ages 55 to 64 so they can pursue longer-term jobs, further education or career training. This program not only benefits program participants, but will help local employers and their region as well, as they gain the skilled workers they need to transform their economy.

Each TIOW program is based on the unique demographics and economic outlook of the region. Because of this tailored approach to content and delivery, this program has been very well received by both participants and employers. Since 2007, the TIOW has helped more than 4,300 participants, the majority of whom found employment or pursued further education after the program.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, British Columbia Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour –

“It has been a difficult and stressful time for Port Alice and Campbell River residents that have been impacted by the mill and mine curtailment in their communities. The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers training is one of the ways we’re leveraging the training programs we have with the federal government to support communities undergoing economic transitions. Our Community Transition team will continue to work with municipal representatives, the workers and their families to overcome this challenging period.”

John Bowman, president, North Island College –

“North Island College is proud to be able to provide training and support for workers affected by mill and mine closures on the North Island. NIC classes at the Sea View Activity Centre in Port Alice have been met by an incredibly supportive community. Participants are hopeful, engaged and happy for locally available essentials skills training and upgrading courses that will enable them to successfully transition to employment.”

Quick Facts:

• B.C.'s Community Transition Team provides support for resource-based communities experiencing significant job loss impacts - such as a result of the closure or downsizing of the community's primary employer or industry.
• Supports and services are quickly mobilized in worker transition, economic diversification planning and social services, and are coordinated with other services provided by the local government and community agencies.
• The Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia signed the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) program agreement in 2007 which was renewed in 2014 for the program to continue to 2017.
• Under the agreement, Canada and B.C. have committed approximately $10.4 million to deliver the TIOW program from 2014 to 2017. This includes $8.7 million from the federal government and $1.6 million from the Province ($2.9 million from Canada and $554,000 from B.C. each year).
• The TIOW program is for participants in small communities of 250,000 or less that are experiencing high unemployment, significant downsizing/closures, unfulfilled employer demand, and/or skills mismatches.
• Since TIOW’s launch in 2007, provinces and territories have targeted more than 35,500 unemployed older workers in small communities across the country for participation. In B.C., more than 4,300 individuals have been assisted to date.
• Employment and Social Development Canada’s follow up survey in 2014 shows that:

• Approximately 75% of program participants throughout Canada found paid employment following their participation in the program
• The majority of respondents believed that their participation in the program improved their employability
• The majority of former TIOW survey respondents (82%) were satisfied with the activities and/or training they received through the program.

• The TIOW program delivered by the College of New Caledonia in Fort St. James was recently recognized by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) as a successful example of support for older workers facing employment challenges in small communities. The program was publicized in the OECD’s international study of local economic strategies for ageing labour markets.

• The B.C. Labour Market Outlook indicates that, by 2024, there will be nearly one million job openings in B.C. due to the growing economy and anticipated retirements. Eight out of ten of these openings will require post-secondary education or trades training.

Learn More:

• Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW): https://www.workbc.ca/Employment-Services/BC-Labour-Market-Programs-(JTST)/TIOW.aspx
• Community Transition Services: http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/economic-development/developing-your-community/services/community-transition-services
• OECD international Local Economic and Employment Development (LEED) study —The Canadian Targeted Initiative for Older Workers in Fort St. James, British Columbia: http://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/industry-and-services/local-economic-strategies-for-ageing-labour-markets_5jrnwqk5d4f7-en
• British Columbia’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/Training-Education/B-C-s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint.aspx
• B.C. Labour Market Outlook 2024: https://www.workbc.ca/labour-market-information/b-c-s-economy/reports.aspx