"Mature" English-speaking Workers Need Help Integrating into Montreal's Labour Force

MONTREAL, Feb. 21 /CNW Telbec/ - English-speaking Montrealers, 45 years and older, have just two weeks left to participate in an online survey to identify this age group's specific employment barriers.

The survey results, part of a provincial initiative including Montreal, Outaouais and Quebec City, will form targeted recommendations for all levels of government, employment service providers and employers.

As stated in CEDEC's 2010 report, Responding to an Ageing Workforce, "…Montreal employment service providers report seeing an increase in the average age of job seekers from 47 years old to 54-60 years old " over the last two years. In the 2006 Census, the total English-speaking population in Montreal  was 523,565, of which 38.7 % (202, 450) are 45 years of age or older.

Through this survey, CEDEC and its partners are working to better understand this group's employability challenges and develop appropriate responses.

Initial survey data illustrates that that employers prefer hiring younger people with better computer skills, but for less money and experience. Mature workers also feel that job prospects are better for Francophones than Anglophones.

To share your experience in the workforce through this survey, you must be an English speaker over 45 years of age seeking employment. To access the survey, go to www.cedec.ca/survey/mwi before March 7.

In communities across Quebec, CEDEC shares its experience in planning and developing partnerships with the aim to strengthen local economies and employability of the English-speaking and broader community. For more information, please visit www.cedec.ca.

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