ThirdQuarter News Stories
ThirdQuarters Are Reliable and Flexible
"It's a godsend. She has good work experience - 29 years in the same place, so I know I'm getting somebody who's reliable."
Virginia Millar
Manager of Quiznos Sub
Brandon, Manitoba
Virginia Millar has high praise for her ThirdQuarter employee.
The manager of a Quiznos Sub in Brandon hired Karen Holmberg in April to work three-hour shifts during the busy lunchtime, two or three days a week.
"It's a godsend," Millar said. "She has good work experience – 29 years in the same place, so I know I'm getting somebody who's reliable."
Millar registered with ThirdQuarter after she learned the program successfully linked the Hi-Way Esso next door with a ThirdQuarter worker. The truck stop and sandwich shop are both owned by Larry Brown.
Millar said Holmberg is making a smooth transition to her new job.
"There will be a lot less training for her because of her maturity," Millar said.
"I find that it's really nice to have somebody that I can see is reliable and responsible. And (an older worker) is more like a steadying influence on the younger kids, too. She's like a mentor."
Holmberg worked in retail for 29 years, but retired a year and a half ago after bursitis in one hip made it difficult for her to stand all day.
"I needed a job that had no lifting and a flexible work schedule," Holmberg, 56, said.
Working at Quiznos met those needs, plus it got her out among the public again.
"I needed to get out of the house and the money doesn't hurt," Holmberg said. "I was spending way too much time playing on the computer."
Reliability and flexibility are two key characteristics business people are giving to the mature workers they hire.
The Keystone Centre in Brandon registered with ThirdQuarter because it's had success for years hiring older workers for its beverage service and operations.
"We require a unique group of workers in operations," said centre operations manager Don Hall. "It's difficult to take a young person from school and start them in a position that is usually not taught in school and is only learned in real-life experiences.
"That includes learning the meaning of being reliable, having excellent work ethics and coming to the job with a positive attitude and confidence. These are attributes that are certainly an added benefit to hiring that generation of workers."
Hall registered to find a qualified electrician to help with day-to-day work. Contractors were becoming more expensive as their overhead costs rose and the centre needed to reduce operating costs, he explained.
However, before a match could be made, the centre received a referral about 67-year-old retired journeyman electrician Stan McFadyen.
McFadyen has 40 years of experience and was hired by the centre last December to work one day a week or whenever he's needed.
"It certainly helped us reduce costs and makes meeting budget much easier and also the day-to-day operations easier," Hall said.
"We get a list of jobs together for him to do and he comes in and does great work."
McFadyen is enjoying the work.
"It keeps me active and keeps my mind going in the electrical field," said McFadyen, who retired in 2008. "The money's a bonus."
Hall said a program such as ThirdQuarter is a great fit for businesses and semi-retired workers.
"Being able to connect businesses with people who are highly experienced and want to work part-time is a great service, especially these days when there's a human resources crunch," Hall said.
"I think it would be well worth it for businesses to take a look at the ThirdQuarter program."
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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
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