Companies Invited To Participate In Experienced Workers Initiative

Companies Invited To Participate In Experienced Workers Initiative The London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) is hoping to hear from local and area companies on the strategies they have in place to deal with workers facing retirement and any plans they have to retain these experienced workers in the labour force. This research is part of the LEDC’s Experienced WoRKs initiative, a project of the corporation’s overall workforce development strategy released in September 2004. Funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, the primary outcome of the project will be an Experienced Workers Resource Kit. The kit will contain information for employers to help improve their capacity to deal with issues associated with an aging work force, including recruitment and retention of experienced workers. The kit will also serve as a resource for experienced workers making decisions about retirement as well as job seekers. The research component of the project is being conducted by Vicky Smith of Contact HR Group. The research includes interviews with companies to assess what type of experienced worker tools, if any, are currently in use. The research will also include focus groups with employers, experienced employees and experienced job seekers. The subsequent development and writing of the resource kit will be done by Communications Consultants, Laurie Lashbrook and Ann Hutchison. Design and production will be done by Hall Associates. In late 2003, more than 50% of local companies surveyed by the LEDC indicated that they are either currently experiencing a shortage of skilled workers or concerned about the issue and its future implications. According to the Conference Board of Canada, there will be a Canada wide shortfall of approximately one million workers by the year 2005. “We encourage companies to readily participate in this initial research phase of the Experienced WoRKs project,” says Jeny Wallace, Director of Workforce Development at LEDC. “Their input and feedback is critical to our ability to provide a comprehensive and highly effective resource kit that will suit their needs and equip them to deal with an impending labour shortage.” For more information, please contact: Jeny Wallace Director, Workforce Development Director, Tel: 519-661-4526 Email: jwallace@ledc.com Patricia Hoffer Marketing & Communications Tel: 519-661-5009 Email: phoffer@ledc.com.