By Karena Walter, The Standard
Niagara’s job centres are expecting more visitors for training and work searches, with stricter rules to employment insurance kicking in.
The changes, which took effect Sunday, include an emphasis on a “reasonable job search” that includes networking, preparing resumes or cover letters and meeting with potential employers and record-keeping.
Those people considered “frequent users” — who have used EI at least three times for a total of 60 weeks in five years — will get six weeks to look for work. After that time, they’ll be expected to take a job even if it pays 70% of their last salary.
“With the changes we’re seeing with EI, like shorter durations and a little bit more emphasis on taking jobs, I think what we’re going to find is more people coming in to participate in re-training programs or education programs,” said Stan Drobnich, executive director at Employment Help Centre.
He said people who were employed for many years and are now on Employment Insurance, particularly those with an industrial background, often have skills that are not compatible with what’s currently in demand.
He anticipated the second wave of people coming in for help will be those who have been receiving EI benefits and taking on “survival jobs.” They’ll also want to improve their skills sets.
“In today’s labour market, you just need a higher level of education, higher level of skills than you would have needed to enter the labour market in the 1960s and 70s,” he said.
At St. Catharines Job Gym Monday, Caroline Graham said the resource area was full, which often happens in January with New Year’s resolutions to look for work or a new job and Christmas seasonal help out of work.
She said she expected to see more people in because of the EI changes.
The Job Gym serves about 1,000 people a month, helping with job postings and resumes.
“There are some people who have never had to do a resume coming in. People that have been working in the same company for 20 years, 25 years, and all of a sudden they’re finding themselves without a job. They don’t know how to do a resume. It’s scary and it’s frustrating for some people.”
YMCA Employment Services director Deanna D’Elia said there have been numerous changes to Employment Insurance over the 21 years she has been in the field.
Clients might feel some of the impacts of the EI change, but she said those changes will be very different for each person, taking into account how long they’ve been looking for work and what they did before.
She said the employment centre hasn’t changed how it does business, which is to focus on clients who are coming in because they want to work.
The centre transitions 89% of its clients into jobs or education.
“They’re looking for work. They don’t want to be in the system,” she said.
The changes have been met with criticism in some parts of Canada. Federal officials estimate the changes will save the government $33 million over the next year.
