Councillors want more help for older workers

Ward 2 Councillors Susan Myers and Sandra Hollingsworth are going to bat for older unemployed workers.

In a resolution to be presented to Monday's meeting of Sault Ste. Marie City Council, the wardmates ask for more job-creation programs for job-seekers over the age of 30.

The councillors say a larger number of older workers are looking for work and programs with fewer age restrictions are needed to keep them in the workforce.

The following is the full text of their resolution:

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Job creation

Mover: Councillor S. Myers

Seconder: Councillor S. Hollingsworth

Whereas many of the current job creation and employer incentive programs target the youth population usually with an under-30-years-of-age eligibility threshold; and

Whereas these programs are very helpful as career starters designed to assist young people looking to break into the job market; and

Whereas often the programs are of mutual assistance to the employer as they seek to grow their company and train new employees; and

Whereas the demographic of the employable population appears to be changing and a greater number of older job seekers have come into the employment pool for a variety of reasons; and

Whereas some individuals find themselves unemployed at an older age and yet have a number of employable years remaining;

Now therefore be it resolved that as both levels of senior government look at the development of new job creation programs, City Council asks that consideration be given to less age-restrictive programs that could
permit mature workers to receive assistance to remain in the workforce.

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