Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career) provides laid-off, unemployed individuals with financial support and skills training to help them find employment in high-demand occupations in Ontario. The goal of this program, is to help individuals find suitable training opportunities and get started in a new field of work. Our role at VPI is to help job seekers understand and navigate the application process through information sessions and orientation workshops at our local branches.

To find out if the Better Jobs Ontario program can help you get back to work, register for one of our upcoming Better Jobs Ontario events. For more information on the Better Jobs Ontario program, fill out an information request form or contact: 1-888-336-9500.

Program Benefits

  • Up to $28,000 towards tuition, books, living expenses, transportation and other living and training costs
  • Additional support may be available to accommodate dependent care, costs of living away from home and academic upgrading

Applications

Applicants must be both approved by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) for Better Jobs Ontario and accepted by an independent training program before funded training can commence.

Training programs

Applicants must research and select their own training programs. Suitable training programs are considered to be ones that help applicants enter into high-demand industries, such as:

  • Construction
  • Mining
  • Healthcare
  • Housing
  • Power generation

Better Jobs Ontario Eligibility

Participants

Who qualifies for Better Jobs Ontario? You are eligible if you are looking to train for high-demand occupations and either:

  • Have been laid-off and have not been working or are working but underemployed
  • Have not been laid-off but have been jobless for at least 6 months and are a member of a low-income household
A fast-track stream is available for those who have been laid-off due to COVID-19.

You can apply even if you are self-employed, new to Ontario, a gig worker, or receiving social assistance such as:
  • Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
  • Employment Insurance (EI)
  • Ontario Works (OW)


This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.