News briefs

Retaining older workers • Project helps smaller firms become employers of choice • Ease work restrictions for foreign students

Retaining older workers

Ottawa
— More than one-quarter of people who retired between 1992 and 2002 would have continued working had they been able to reduce their work schedules without affecting their pensions, according to a study from Statistics Canada. Similarly, 28 per cent would have continued working if they had been offered part-time employment. Only 12 per cent of retirees said they would have kept working if mandatory retirement policies had not existed.

Project helps smaller firms become employers of choice

Winnipeg
— The federal government is providing $201,000 to help 12 smaller Manitoba companies attract and retain workers who are skilled in trades and technologies. With the support of the pilot project, the companies will do comprehensive assessments to determine what they are doing well and to build on their successes. Best practices will then be shared. “We hope to lead the way in assisting (small- and medium-sized firms) develop strategies that will work over the long term to address their labour force issues,” said Tony Van Rosmalen, vice-president, Manitoba Division, Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, which is involved in the pilot.

Ease work restrictions for foreign students

Ottawa
— Canada risks discouraging foreign post-secondary students from studying here unless the rules preventing them from working off-campus are eased, according to the Canadian Bureau for International Education. Manitoba, New Brunswick and Quebec, excluding Montreal and Quebec City, have pilot projects allowing foreign students to work off-campus. Full-time international students in other provinces are allowed to find jobs only on-campus. James Fox, CBIE president, said allowing off-campus work attracts foreign students and improves the chances they will eventually join a nation’s workforce.

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