Happy New Year from the team at Over 55 Skills At Work and Neighbourhood Watch London! We hope you have a safe, happy and prosperous 2024.
Lifestyle Home Show
We’re thrilled to be part of the 2024 Lifestyle Home Show. Come visit us from January 26-28 at the Western Fair District to learn more about the valuable services provided by our Associates. We will also be highlighting our employment services for individuals age 55+. For information about the show and to purchase tickets, click here.
Employment Services for Adults 55+
In Conversation with Vicki Mayer about Valuing Experience – an Employment Program for Mature Job Seekers.
Over 55 Skills At Work is honoured to be spearheading the Valuing Experience program, to help mature workers connect with employers. We’ll have updates and features in upcoming newsletters, and today we’d like to introduce you to the Project Manager, Vicki Mayer.
Can you tell us about the program?
Vicki: Job seekers who are over 55 years old are connected with a team of professionals who begin the process by gathering information about the applicant. There is a meeting where we ask questions regarding previous experience, education and interest and more importantly present job goals. The program offers assistance in customizing resumes and cover letters specific to these job goals. Short term employment specific training is also offered either internally or through our community partners. There is the opportunity for weekly drop ins for peer support, digital literacy or career counselling. Personal well being and portfolio development workshops are also provided.
Who are the people being served?
Vicki: Our clients come from all walks of life and are seeking employment in a wide variety of occupations as well as full time, part time and casual employment. They are only distinguished by their age.
What’s been the response from employers and job seekers?
Vicki: Our job seekers like to be working with a team of their peers. They have been very pleased with the individual attention and services they receive. Our employers know that clients referred through us come with both work and life experience. They often speak about the belief that qualified older applicants bring an increased reliability. We have employers who call us with their job vacancies and often to say thank you for sending a successful applicant.
How can people get involved?
Call or send a request through www.skillsatwork.ca or (519) 438-1111. You will hear from a member of the team within a couple of days. We will answer your questions and if it feels like a good fit for you, set up an initial meeting.
Winter Weather – What to Know
The recent cold snap is a reminder to be prepared for winter weather extremes. The City of London has advice on keeping yourself and your home safe during storms.
- Give yourself extra time to get to your destination.
- Stay clear of bodies of water, and use caution around watercourses.
- Prepare for possible basement and yard flooding.
- Winterize your emergency kit.
For more information visit this website: Winter Weather in London
Walk This Way – Staying Safe Walking in Winter
Surfaces can be slippery when covered with snow and ice, so it’s important to prevent falls.
- Take small steps.
- Avoid loading yourself down with shopping bags.
- Don’t run on icy ground.
- Keep your hands free for balance rather than in your pockets.
Additional safety tips can be found at the University of Saskatchewan website: Winter Walking Tips
Fraud Prevention
The new year brings frauds, both new and old that we need to be aware of. One of the latest scams making the rounds involves fraudsters contacting people, claiming to be either a loved one or having knowledge of an urgent situation. It’s called the “emergency scam”. You can read about one family’s experience by clicking on the CBC news report. How a Slick Talking ‘Lawyer’ Almost Scammed an Ontario Senior Out Of $6K
Here’s some advice from the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre for preventing similar scams:
- If you receive a suspicious phone call claiming to be from a family member in an emergency situation, hang up and contact them on the number you have in your contact list.
- If the caller claims to be a law enforcement official and asks you to pay a fine or bail, hang up and call your police directly.
- Listen to that inner voice telling you: “This doesn’t sound right”.
More fraud awareness information can be found by going to the CAFC website below:
Be sure to keep an eye on your inbox for February’s newsletter.
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