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·	From Theory To Practice

3.1 Client Attitudes Towards the TAGS/HRDC Program

• Most clients feel that the main purpose of TAGS/HRDC is to provide income support. In response to the question "What is the main purpose of TAGS?", clients responded:

  • income support - 41 percent;

  • train for work outside fishery - 23 percent.

• Male clients, Newfoundland clients and fishers are more likely to see the purpose of TAGS/HRDC as income support.

• Younger clients, targeted clients and clients with higher education are more likely to support goals of training and jobs outside fishery.

3.2 Attitudes Towards the Future After TAGS

• Attitudes of TAGS/HRDC clients towards the future are not associated with duration of their eligibility.
• Clients are uncertain about their future after TAGS. in response to the question "What will happen when TAGS finishes in 1999?":

  • 35 percent don't know or are not sure what will happen;

  • 36 percent say they will be on their own or on welfare;

  • 26 percent say fishery will reopen;

  • only 4 percent say TAGS will be replaced or extended.

• Attitudes become more realistic once eligibility has expired:

  • fishery will reopen (TAGS/HRDC Clients = 26 percent, NCARP roll-over clients = 11 percent);

  • recipients will be on their own (TAGS/HRDC Clients = 17 percent, NCARP roll-over clients = 39 percent);

  • recipients will be on Social Assistance (TAGS/HRDC Clients = 19 percent, NCARP roll-over clients = 22 percent);

• Newfoundland clients slightly more likely than clients in Nova Scotia to expect the fishery to reopen.

3.3 Attitudes Towards Changes in TAGS/HRDC

• Nearly three-quarters of TAGS/HRDC clients are aware of past program changes and expect future changes.

• The same proportion expects reductions in payment levels and cuts in eligibility.

• After cuts in administration, training and adjustment services, clients prefer cuts in benefit levels rather than duration.

• In surveys and focus groups clients describe uncertainty about TAGS/HRDC programs as a source of stress and as a constraint on their adjustment decision-making.

3.4 Attitudes Towards Counselling

• Clients rated highly the attitudes, ability of counsellors and the utility of the information they provided about TAGS/HRDC:

  • there are no significant differences in the ratings when gender, education level or fishing sector is considered. There are modest differences among CECs.

• TAGS/HRDC clients are three times as likely to have talked to a counsellor as members of the non-participant comparison group.

• Clients have a positive view of counsellors' attitudes and abilities, but this is not associated with level of adjustment.