Plant closures, downsizings, restructuring, new technologies, international trade agreements, ecological concerns, changing demographics, have affected the Canadian workforce. Workers in their 40's and older are particularly affected. Older workers were encouraged a generation ago to enter the workforce by leaving school at 16 or by immigrating to Canada. Now they find themselves competing for jobs in work environments that are often dramatically different from those they have experienced. At the same time, we have recognized the inadequacy of programs for older workers.
Few employers provide career counseling for employees.
If help is provided to workers who are being displaced, it is usually confined to job-search workshops. Of 13 recommendations to the federal government, three addressed counseling, and five mentioned support services. Since a large proportion of older workers who have been affected, their needs are emphasized in the counseling and support services which are provided, resulting in a placement rate which is dramatically higher than usually experienced by older workers. Counseling is provided individually and in groups. Group counseling is important for emotional support and for learning from one another's experiences.