ThirdQuarter News Stories
National Seniors Council Report to Federal Government Promotes ThirdQuarter
Expanding the ThirdQuarter program is one of the recommendations in a National Seniors Council report released by the federal government on Oct. 18.
Last year, the Council was asked by government to examine two issues of importance to older Canadians: their participation in the labour force and the relationships between different generations.
Consultations with various stakeholders from October 2010 to March 2011, including representatives of ThirdQuarter, led to the Report on the Labour Force Participation of Seniors and Near Seniors and Intergenerational Relations.
The report included suggestions for action the federal government should undertake such as developing and implementing a comprehensive workforce aging strategy through various initiatives.
"Build on the successes of exemplary programs that serve to help older workers find meaningful employment, and seek means of achieving long-term sustainability of these initiatives," the report recommended.
"For example, consideration could be given to expanding the ThirdQuarter pilot program, which provides an online service to help employers and experienced employees who are 50-plus find each other."
ThirdQuarter national project director Bill Smith was pleased the Council recognized the value of the program.
"We know many mature Canadians want to remain in the workforce and that's good news for businesses across the country," Smith said.
"They offer the skills and work ethic firms are looking for to make their businesses more productive and competitive."
He noted many of the report's findings support the results of a soon-to-be-released survey ThirdQuarter conducted with national businesses and registered ThirdQuarter firms and individuals.
The Council's report also looked at the volunteer work of seniors, which is also a component of ThirdQuarter.
"Volunteer work needs to be valued and considered in discussions of the labour force participation of seniors and near seniors," the report said.
"Similar to paid employment, volunteer work offers the opportunity to remain active and engaged in society and to both contribute and gain skills and experience."
It recommended the development of good business management practices among the not-for-profit sector to attract new and near seniors to a volunteering experience that meets their aspirations.
In examining intergenerational relations within the workplace, the report noted "incorrect perceptions regarding the productivity, motivation or trainability of older workers can prevent employers from investing in older workers."
"Participants therefore recommended that corporate initiatives be developed that focus on encouraging multi-generational understanding, integration and co-operation within the workplace."
Smith said feedback from registered ThirdQuarter businesses has consistently pointed out the benefits of mixing age groups in the workplace.
Blast-Off Fireworks president Matt Bialek has three hired three ThirdQuarter individuals for his Selkirk, Man., company.
"Our (staff) demographic is very young," Bialek said in a story featured on the ThirdQuarter website. "We probably have a median age that I think would be high 20s, low 30s.
"The (ThirdQuarter) program gave us a pool of talent with experience, and some of the people we recruit from this pool we were hoping would be mentors for our younger staff."
The Report on the Labour Force Participation of Seniors and Near Seniors and Intergenerational Relations can be viewed at http://www.seniorscouncil.gc.ca/eng/research_publications/labour_force/page00.shtml
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Archives
November 2011
October 2011
- ThirdQuarter is a Great Resource
- National Seniors Council Report to Federal Government Promotes ThirdQuarter
September 2011
August 2011
July 2011
June 2011
- ThirdQuarter Presents Inaugural Employer Recognition Certificate
- ThirdQuarter Launches in Portage la Prairie
May 2011
- ThirdQuarter Fills Hiring Needs
- ThirdQuarters Are Reliable and Flexible
- ThirdQuarter Fills a Niche and Needs
- You Talked. We Acted.
- Portage la Prairie Launch Postponed
- ThirdQuarter 2.0 to be released May 17
April 2011
- ThirdQuarters Have Talent for Tutoring
- A Refreshing Change
- Bill Denyar - President - Atlantic Chambers of Canada
March 2011
- When Jim King talks about transferable skills, he speaks from experience
- Wanting a ThirdQuarter Encore
February 2011
- ThirdQuarter Hires Make an Impact
- ThirdQuarter Hires Make an Impact
- Steve McLellan - CEO - Saskatchewan Chambers of Commerce
- Don Anderson found his perfect match in ThirdQuarter
January 2011
- Office of Literacy and Essential Skills
Bureau de l'alphabétisation et des compétences essentielles
