$500 skills-training subsidy
for downsized members runs to end of 2011
A $500 skills-training subsidy offered by CWA Canada to members who lose jobs because of downsizing is being extended into a third year.
The program, established in 2009 in response to widespread job cuts, especially in the media industry, paid out more than $25,000 from the union’s Defence Fund. Almost $31,000 will have been paid out to members in 2010.
With another raft of job cuts this year, most notably by Postmedia News Network, which bought the Canwest newspaper chain, the program has been extended again to the end of 2011.
Any member of CWA Canada who becomes jobless due to layoff, buyout or early retirement is eligible for reimbursement of up to $500 upon proof of payment for an education course or any type of training.
An alternative choice for the member is to take any one of hundreds of online courses in the fields of either digital media, telecommunications or software offered by the CWA/NETT Academy.
The digital media courses offered by CWA/NETT include video production and editing, web design, Flash and basic HTML. Telecom courses include DC/AC circuits analysis, fibre optics, basic networking, VOIP and data communications.
CWA/NETT, through an arrangement with Lynda.com, offers more than 600 courses in software, ranging from Access to Moodle to ZBrush 3.
Applications must be received by the end of 2011.
For more information, contact head office by email to info@cwa-scacanada.ca or by calling (toll-free) 1-877-486-4292. Members in the Ottawa-Carleton region can call 613-820-9777.