Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/141831
NEW CEO CONNECTS WITH THIRDQUARTER "We turn not older with years, but newer every day" — Emily Dickinson AS BABY BOOMERS RETIRE, EMPLOYERS ARE FACED WITH FILLING SKILLS GAPS IN THEIR ORGANIZATIONS. AT THE SAME TIME, MANY MATURE WORKERS ARE LOOKING FOR NEW OPPORTUNITIES TO SHARE THEIR EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE. Both of those groups now benefit from the experience and expertise of Tim Jones, the first president and CEO of Skills Connect Inc., the newly formed, federally incorporated non-profit organization that owns and operates ThirdQuarter.ca, founded by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce in 2010. The Winnipeg-based niche recruiting service is designed to connect businesses with Canadians aged 45 and up who are looking for work, a career change or an adjustment to their retirement plans. "This concept started three years ago as a pilot project led by the Being Power Smart can improve your bottom line. Let us show you how. Manitoba Hydro is committed to helping businesses of all types and sizes become more energy efficient. We offer a variety of incentive programs to help reduce your energy costs and protect the environment. Contact us: 204-360-3676 (Winnipeg) or 1-888-624-9376 powersmartforbusiness@hydro.mb.ca hydro.mb.ca/psfb Tim Jones is the first president and CEO of Skills Connect Inc. Photo by Darcy Finley Manitoba Chambers of Commerce," Jones says. "This was in response to the growing realization in the business community that they did not have legacy plans in place for the retiring cohort and they were facing a serious skills deficit. "The business community alerted us that they were having trouble finding experienced, skilled workers, yet there was a growing cadre of experienced mature workers available. The two groups just weren't connecting." ThirdQuarter.ca charges companies a competitive fee to post jobs in a variety of sectors, although there is no charge for a company's first posting in 2013. The service is free for job seekers who register and submit their resumes online. It uses a skills-based matching system to connect potential employees with employers who are looking for qualified, experienced staff. The service has a full staff of trained professionals who assist both candidates and companies in order to meet their needs. Jones says ThirdQuarter encourages job seekers to find work on their own terms, giving them options for full-time, part-time, casual or term work in a variety of locations across Canada. "We're the matchmakers," he says. "We don't do the interviewing or any of the other applicant-screening processes. Our goal is to match qualified applicants with companies looking for staff with their skills and experience." An executive with CanWest Global Communications for more than 30 years, Jones led a team in the startup of a national specialty television broadcast centre which was located in Winnipeg in 2001. He's had varied opportunities to exercise his leadership muscles, most recently as an executive director within the labour market skills division of Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade. Funded by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, Skills Connect Inc., through ThirdQuarter.ca, aims to change the public perception of mature workers, emphasizing their value as highly skilled employees who bring a wealth of experience to the workplace and who are reliable and "come ready to work." The organization is growing its service across Canada through partnerships with chambers of commerce, the Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) and a number of provincial organizations. It publishes a weekly online newsletter offering job-hunting tips and resources for mature workers and companies. "We're very excited about the potential of ThirdQuarter," Jones says. "We look forward to increasing the number of opportunities and potential matches for job seekers and employers across Canada." www.thirdquarter.ca *Manitoba Hydro is a licensee of the Trademark and Official Mark. MBiz June 2013 7 MBiz June 2013_final.indd 7 6/21/13 2:54:42 PM