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TARGETED INITIATIVE for OLDER WORKERS PROGRAM
“Funded by the Governments of Canada and British Columbia through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers”
April 1st 2011 through to March 31st 2012
Who is the Older Worker Program for?
Unemployed and under-employed individuals ages 55-64. In some circumstances, individuals aged 50-54 and more than 65 may be eligible to participate. It is open to all citizens of Canada that are legally entitled to work in Canada, aboriginal, non-aboriginal that are on income assistance, have no income or are receiving Employment Insurance benefits.
What is the objective of the program?
The ultimate goal of the program is to have participants achieve employment through training, upgrading or wage subsidy.
How long is the program?
This is a 10-week program with three 1 week workshops plus 7 weeks of individual upgrading or training. OR a 12-week program with three 1 week workshops plus 9 weeks of wage subsidy.
Participants must be able to commit to the full 10-12 weeks of the program.
Can I be a part of the program while I am on income assistance?
If you are currently on income assistance, you must inform your Caseworker at the Ministry of Housing and Social Development that you are participating in this program when you are accepted.
Can I be a part of the program while I am on EI?
Yes, please ask your older worker consultant about how to ensure that your EI benefits are not interrupted while attending the program.
How many hours do I need to commit to the program?
It is expected that each individual commit a minimum of 25 hours/week for the 10 week program. Each individual is expected to complete a weekly activity sheet and record all the training and studying time that they have completed. This activity sheet is handed in to their Older Worker Consultant at a bi-weekly group meeting.
Will CITAC find a wage subsidy placement for me?
No, individuals are expected to find a suitable employer that is willing to agree to the 9 weeks of wage subsidy.
What kinds of workshops are offered?
There three one week workshops. Focus is on back-to-work strategies and skill enhancement. Attendance for these workshops is mandatory.
What kind of training can I take?
The individual will develop a training plan with their Older Worker Consultant. The training is to enhance an individual’s employability. Training or upgrading is to be completed in the last 7 weeks of the course and will be relevant to their Return to Work Action Plan. Some examples of training can be high school completion, first aid, forklift certification and computer upgrading.
Is the money I receive in the program taxable?
Yes, all financial supports are deemed a taxable benefit and you will be required to fill out a T4A at the beginning of the program.
I am not sure what skill level I have. Do you do any assessments for this?
For participants in the program, we deliver TOWES, CAAT and Career Decision Making Assessments. It is preferred that these assessments are completed before the beginning of the program, so participants can make more informed decisions about upgrading and training.
How do I pay for my training, books and supplies?
The program is structured so that each individual, with the exception of those individuals taking the wage subsidy option, will have up to $1,500 in tuition supports paid directly to the training institute they are attending. These costs are assessed on an individual basis.
Is there a living allowance while in the program?
No, living allowance is not provided to participants in the program. Part of the support offered is a participation stipend based on 25 hours minimum attendance per week. The total amount of stipend issued is approximately $200 per week. No stipend is available if participating in wage subsidy. There is minimum travel allowance in town provided, approximately $159 during the program. Individuals that are traveling from out of town may be eligible for more than the minimum travel allowance. Participants will be asked to keep a travel log and to hand it in at the bi-weekly meeting. Those accessing transit will be allotted bus passes/tickets to cover the 10 weeks Please ask your Older Worker Consultant if you have any concerns about this.
I don’t own a computer. Is there somewhere I can practice the new skills I have learned?
Yes, we have a 12 person computer lab that is available to our older worker participants most of the time. This workspace is quiet and if you need assistance, we have staff that is willing to help you.
If you have any other questions please contact a CITAC Trades Consultant - Older Worker Initiative
Norman Humphrey, 250-434-9261 Ext. 202 or by email at pm@citac.ca OR
Helen Poss, 250-434-9261 Ext. 201 or by email at ow@citac.ca
Who is the Older Worker Program for?
Unemployed and under-employed individuals ages 55-64. In some circumstances, individuals aged 50-54 and more than 65 may be eligible to participate. It is open to all citizens of Canada that are legally entitled to work in Canada, aboriginal, non-aboriginal that are on income assistance, have no income or are receiving Employment Insurance benefits.
What is the objective of the program?
The ultimate goal of the program is to have participants achieve employment through training, upgrading or wage subsidy.
How long is the program?
This is a 10-week program with three 1 week workshops plus 7 weeks of individual upgrading or training. OR a 12-week program with three 1 week workshops plus 9 weeks of wage subsidy.
Participants must be able to commit to the full 10-12 weeks of the program.
Can I be a part of the program while I am on income assistance?
If you are currently on income assistance, you must inform your Caseworker at the Ministry of Housing and Social Development that you are participating in this program when you are accepted.
Can I be a part of the program while I am on EI?
Yes, please ask your older worker consultant about how to ensure that your EI benefits are not interrupted while attending the program.
How many hours do I need to commit to the program?
It is expected that each individual commit a minimum of 25 hours/week for the 10 week program. Each individual is expected to complete a weekly activity sheet and record all the training and studying time that they have completed. This activity sheet is handed in to their Older Worker Consultant at a bi-weekly group meeting.
Will CITAC find a wage subsidy placement for me?
No, individuals are expected to find a suitable employer that is willing to agree to the 9 weeks of wage subsidy.
What kinds of workshops are offered?
There three one week workshops. Focus is on back-to-work strategies and skill enhancement. Attendance for these workshops is mandatory.
What kind of training can I take?
The individual will develop a training plan with their Older Worker Consultant. The training is to enhance an individual’s employability. Training or upgrading is to be completed in the last 7 weeks of the course and will be relevant to their Return to Work Action Plan. Some examples of training can be high school completion, first aid, forklift certification and computer upgrading.
Is the money I receive in the program taxable?
Yes, all financial supports are deemed a taxable benefit and you will be required to fill out a T4A at the beginning of the program.
I am not sure what skill level I have. Do you do any assessments for this?
For participants in the program, we deliver TOWES, CAAT and Career Decision Making Assessments. It is preferred that these assessments are completed before the beginning of the program, so participants can make more informed decisions about upgrading and training.
How do I pay for my training, books and supplies?
The program is structured so that each individual, with the exception of those individuals taking the wage subsidy option, will have up to $1,500 in tuition supports paid directly to the training institute they are attending. These costs are assessed on an individual basis.
Is there a living allowance while in the program?
No, living allowance is not provided to participants in the program. Part of the support offered is a participation stipend based on 25 hours minimum attendance per week. The total amount of stipend issued is approximately $200 per week. No stipend is available if participating in wage subsidy. There is minimum travel allowance in town provided, approximately $159 during the program. Individuals that are traveling from out of town may be eligible for more than the minimum travel allowance. Participants will be asked to keep a travel log and to hand it in at the bi-weekly meeting. Those accessing transit will be allotted bus passes/tickets to cover the 10 weeks Please ask your Older Worker Consultant if you have any concerns about this.
I don’t own a computer. Is there somewhere I can practice the new skills I have learned?
Yes, we have a 12 person computer lab that is available to our older worker participants most of the time. This workspace is quiet and if you need assistance, we have staff that is willing to help you.
If you have any other questions please contact a CITAC Trades Consultant - Older Worker Initiative
Norman Humphrey, 250-434-9261 Ext. 202 or by email at pm@citac.ca OR
Helen Poss, 250-434-9261 Ext. 201 or by email at ow@citac.ca
