by Karen Laharty      |         February 23, 2010

In Sooke there are 10 more work-ready employees "of a certain age" in Sooke, thanks to the Prime Time Development Program. The program delivered by the WorkLink Employment Society in Sooke has already successfully placed four of those Prime Time participants, three here in Sooke.

The program is designed specifically for 55+ workers who are looking to re-enter the workforce or update their current skills. Full-time and part-time positions are sought.

“The response from employers regarding the program has been favourable”, said Mark Whiteson, one of the two job developers with WorkLink, in an interview last Friday; Whiteson works with co-worker Stephen Keaning.

“We provide confidence and support for the preparation of resumes, building of interview skills and enhancing personal presentation. This all helps with re-entry into the workforce," he said, adding that older workers are favourably received by employers based on their experience, reliability, loyalty and often the ability to get started right away.

Qualifications for employment change so frequently that being up-to-date with the basics should not be taken for granted by anyone looking for work. Computer know-how is a must for most employees today. This includes everything from operating a computerized cash system to navigating a web site. WorkLink offers computer skills training in all areas.

“We estimate that there are potentially 400 jobs available in Sooke,” Whiteson said. “There are 23 larger businesses in Sooke (employing three or more people) that can potentially support more than three employees.” He mentioned Sooke Home Hardware, the District of Sooke, Peoples Drug Mart and CIBC as just a few of these local businesses to which job seekers can take a resume for potential employment.

The 10-week federally and provincially funded program started January 11 and runs until March 31. Participants were in the classroom from 9 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday,  for the first five weeks, in the office at 6625 Sooke Road, then out looking for work with the support of the Prime Time team. The local program has served job-seekers in the East Sooke to Port Renfrew region, and several of the pre-selection interviews have already been undertaken by Whiteson. All applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada and be ready and committed to returning to work.1A wage subsidy of 50% for up to 30 hours per week is paid to employers for a Prime Time worker to receive appropriate on-the-job training. If the worker requires training while on the job, some subsidy funding is available to the employer to provide or fund that training.   

Prime Time is jointly funded by the federal Ministry of Advanced Education and Labour together with the BC Ministry of Human Resources and Skills. MM

~ with notes from Mary P. Brooke