College of the Rockies’ Fernie campus, along with the Kimberley and Invermere campuses, will be offering training aimed at more mature workers. The Older Workers program will provide training for individuals between the ages of 55 and 64 who are currently unemployed and looking to return to work.
The 14-week program includes 10 weeks of instruction in areas like computers, soft-skills, workplace skills and job search strategies. Following the course will be a four-week job placement. Participants will receive payment for their time in the program.
Training will consist of six sessions throughout the East Kootenays, running in Fernie on October 16 and again in January 2013. It will also be offered in Cranbrook on October 15 and in Invermere in November.
“BC Stats lists the Kootenays as having the highest unemployment rate in BC at 9.4%, said Kimberley Campus Manager, Mike Flowers. “We are hoping to help address that through this training.”
Currently, roughly one quarter of the East Kootenay’s population is in the 55 to 64 age bracket.