The Skills Training Results in Directed Education and Employment (STRIDE) program supports adults over 55 to find sustainable employment. The new program is offered here at Archway and is open to residents of the Fraser Valley who are unemployed or under-employed.
Despite an ongoing labour shortage in BC, there can be a disconnect between the jobs offered and the current experience, ability or training of the job-seekers.
“Employees over 55 may be lacking in some technological skills or be unable to perform a physically demanding job anymore,” explained Frank Amadasun, the program supervisor. “Plus, there is sometimes an element of age discrimination or lack of awareness of current job hiring practices.”
STRIDE provides participants with short-term certification training, work experience, occupational skills training and possible wage subsidies.
Employers can tap into this often-overlooked pool of employees while benefiting from wage subsidies while employees are learning skills on-the-job.
“We’re bridging the gap between older adults seeking employment and the skills that employees need,” said Amadasun.
The program is free for job-seekers and employers and is funded by the BC Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training through a Workforce Development Agreement with the Government of Canada. Across the province, the Older Workers 55+ program is expected to help over 400 people.
Learn more about the STRIDE for Older Workers program.
We’re bridging the gap between older adults seeking employment and the skills that employees need.