Seventy-seven per cent of participants in the previous session of the older workers initiative at the P.A. Métis Women's Association found jobs through the program. (submitted photo/Bernadette Aubichon)

By Alison Sandstrom

Older workers

Older adult job training opens doors

Feb 7, 2020 | 4:48 PM

The P.A. Métis Women’s Association is preparing to start the second year of a successful job training program for older adults.

The 13-week provincially funded program is aimed at giving people aged 55 to 64, many of whom may have been out of the work force for an extended period of time, the skills and knowledge they need to re-enter it.

Lise McKenna, job coach at the P.A. Métis Women’s Association, told paNOW older job seekers face unique challenges, often including a lack of experience with computers.

Low confidence in their existing abilities is another common hurdle.

“We kind of get them to focus on themselves,” she said. “Say the last 20 years, they’ve focused on looking after their grandchildren and different things. We kind of turn it around in here. We work a lot of confidence, self-esteem, accountability and that and it’s just amazing to see the change that we’ve had.”

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Seventy-seven per cent of the 32 people who participated in the inaugural year of the program in 2019 found jobs through it.

Facilitator Bernadatte Aubichon agrees confidence building is an important aspect of the training.

“Because some of them have been out of the workforce for so long, they think they don’t have the skills, but they do, and it’s my job as a facilitator to bring that out,” she said.

She added the program also covers resume writing, cover letter writing and interviewing during the 10-week in-class portion. Following that, participants complete a three-week job placement.

The Targeted Initiative For Older Workers is currently actively recruiting to fill the last few places in the upcoming session which starts Feb. 18. Program participants receive a living allowance.

Several participants of last year’s program, like Noella Goulet, found work as comissionaires. (Submitted/Bernadette Aubichon)

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom