CAMPBELL RIVER – 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.