The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers (TIOW) is a federal-provincial/territorial employment program that provides a range of employment activities for unemployed older workers living in vulnerable communities with populations of 250,000 or less to help them stay in the workforce.
To continue to support the reintegration of older workers into the workforce, Budget 2011 provided $50 million over two years to extend the program until 2013–14. This funding helps ensure that displaced older workers have access to the training and employment programs they need to secure new employment.
About the Program
The TIOW is a federal-provincial/territorial cost-shared initiative that provides employment assistance services and employability improvement activities (such as skills upgrading and work experience) to unemployed older workers aged 55 to 64 living in communities experiencing ongoing high unemployment and/or with a high reliance on an industry significantly affected by downsizing or closure.
Who Is Eligible
The TIOW focuses on older workers aged 55 to 64 who are unemployed, are legally entitled to work in Canada, require new or enhanced skills to successfully transition into new employment, and live in an eligible community. In exceptional circumstances, unemployed workers aged 50 to 54, or aged 65 and over and still in the labour market, may participate as well.
How It Works
Under Canada's Economic Action Plan, the TIOW targets an even broader range of communities, including cities and towns with a population of 250,000 or less and located in larger metropolitan areas. Previously, cities and towns located in Census Metropolitan Areas with a population greater than 250,000 were not eligible. This change means that an additional 250 communities may be eligible for TIOW.
Progress to Date
Agreements have been signed with all 13 provinces and territories. Since 2007, 396 projects have been approved using both Economic Action Plan and existing funding and 194 projects have been extended, providing programming to over 28,000 unemployed older workers.
Find Out More
Please consult the Human Resources and Skills Development Canada website or the website of your provincial or territorial government.