Recently laid-off? Do you want to transition into a high-demand career? Keep reading to learn more about Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career).
Program Updates
As of April 29, 2022, the Better Jobs Ontario program was expanded to better help gig workers, youth, people on social assistance and others who may face challenges finding stable jobs. If you have been unemployed for six months or longer, and are part of a low-income household, you may benefit from these changes.
For more information on the Better Jobs Ontario program or to find out if you qualify, contact us today.
Overview
The Better Jobs Ontario program provides financial support and skills training to help laid-off or unemployed individuals find employment in high-demand occupations in Ontario. This program aims to help you find suitable training opportunities and get started in a new field of work.
The Better Jobs Ontario program focuses on training programs that take 52 weeks or less to complete, including micro-credential programs. This allows program participants to jump start their new career and helps them rejoin the workforce quickly.
Successful program participants can apply for up to $28,000 for costs, including:
- Tuition
- Books
- Other instructional costs, including student fees, supplies and electronic devices
- Transportation
- Basic living allowance (up to $500 per week)
Additional funding may be available for:
- Childcare
- Disability-related supports
- Living away from home
- Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) and/or language training
Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
If you have been laid-off because of COVID-19, a fast-track stream of the Better Jobs Ontario program can help you access the training you need to re-enter the workforce in a new and in-demand career. For a faster approval process, your application must meet all of the following criteria:
- You were laid-off on or after March 1, 2020.
- You have a high school education or less, you were laid-off from an occupation requiring no more than a high school education and job-specific training, such as food and beverage servers, flight attendants and retail salespersons.
- You were laid-off from an industry hit hard by the pandemic, such as hospitality and food services, transportation and warehousing or wholesale and retail trade.
- You want to train for a career in demand in a local community or provincial priority area.