The Commissionaires' Victoria, the Islands, and Yukon Division is over 1,000 strong. An impressive number, but what's even more impressive is that the Commissionaires have no problem filling those positions. The division's winning recruitment strategy stems from the Commissionaires' history. A not for profit, the organization was created to provide veterans meaningful employment. Most Commissionaires work as security guards. For obvious reasons, the company continues to employ former military personnel.

But Dave Eden, Director of Human Resources, also targets applicants who have concluded other careers. "People are often told they have reached the end of their working life," said Eden. "We tell those people, We need your experience, knowledge, and work ethic." Eden partnered with Silver Threads, which runs a job referral program, to let interested seniors know about the Commissionaires. Coordinator Pat Nichol referred, among others, Greg Stone, an accountant who had recently retired from provincial public service after 30 years, and who knew that his wife would work for several years more, and that his daughter faced the expense of college.

"I wanted something to do in this first part of my retirement, and a few dollars to supplement my pension," said Stone, explaining why he attended a Silver Threads employment session. "Silver Threads helped me find a job made for someone who had already had their main career."

Stone liked the idea of learning the security business, but, during training, he and his peers introduced themselves. "Had I known they were looking for accountants," said Stone, "I never would have told them that that's what I did."

At first, the Commissionaires had Stone work on their financial records. But Eden knew that Stone's skills were transferable, and that over the course of his earlier career he must have gleaned knowledge of many other areas, including human resources, which was under Stone's management in several of his more senior positions.

"We knew that he wanted a break from accounting, and I saw that a lot of his qualities were right for human resources," said Eden, explaining why he made Stone a Human Resources Clerk. "I can give him just a little bit of direction and leave him to do the job."

Eden argues that such broad knowledge, good instincts, and independence are traits typical of older workers. For his part, Stone is both engaged in his new work and pleased that he is succeeding with ease.

"I was a middle manager in government so I had staff and budgets and hard deadlines, and I don't have any of that here, which I love," said Stone. "I enjoy what I do and the people I work with, but at the end of the day I can close my door and forget about it and go home to my family. This fits me perfectly."

"Older workers have all the qualities employers say they want in an employee, but they're a neglected group," said Eden. "We need to change our attitudes and reject the idea that when you're sixty five you're supposed to go riding off into the sunset."

For more information on Experience Works - Seniors Employment Program, please contact Victoria Silver Threads at 250-388-4268. A program coordinator is in the office on Tuesday and Thursday mornings.