We’re excited to announce the return of our Annual Multi-Employer Job Fair, happening on Thursday, May 15th, from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM at the Pickering Public Library (1 The Esplanade S, Pickering).

Following the success of last year’s event, we’re once again inviting employers to join us for a chance to connect with motivated job seekers from across the region. This job fair is a fantastic opportunity to promote your organization, expand your candidate pool, and make meaningful hires.

Employers: Want to participate?
We’re now accepting employer registrations on a first-come, first-served basis. To reserve your table, please visit the link here!

Job Seekers: Looking for work?
This event is open to all job seekers who apply to participate in this job fair—whether you’re starting out, switching careers, or re-entering the workforce. Meet face-to-face with hiring employers, ask questions, and apply for roles on the spot!

• Bring copies of your résumé
• Dress professionally
• Be ready to network and make a great first impression

We’ll be promoting the job fair through our community partners, social media, and client networks to ensure strong attendance and a diverse mix of employers and job-ready candidates.

*Please expect long wait times which may be required for you to wait outside. So please dress accordingly.

Mark your calendar and don’t miss this chance to connect!
Stay tuned for updates on participating employers.

Taking place on April 10, 2025, from 9:00 – 11:00 am this event brings together leaders, employers, and advocates from across Ontario to explore practical, impactful ways to make workplaces more inclusive for people with disabilities. With a focus on transformational leadership and real-world solutions, the summit offers valuable insights for anyone looking to create a more equitable and accessible workplace culture.

Misty Knight has been with VPI Employment Services for over 10 years, supporting inclusive employment practices and connecting individuals to meaningful opportunities. She collaborates with employers and community partners to create accessible, strengths-based hiring solutions that benefit both businesses and job seekers. Misty is part of a dedicated team across 11 locations, passionate about supporting communities and bringing employers and community partners together to foster inclusive, thriving workplaces. She is excited to share practical strategies and real-life stories about building disability-inclusive and welcoming environments.

We’re thrilled to have Misty representing VPI at this important event, and to contribute to the ongoing conversation about building workplaces where everyone can thrive.

To learn more or register, visit ODEN’s event page.

Why Participate?

● To provide Workforce Data so we can better understand the needs of Hamilton Employers
● To discover insights on how to progress Hamilton’s Economy forward
● To give Employers the opportunity to share their experience & concerns
● To chart an evidence-based course for Hamilton’s future
● Complete the survey for a chance to win a Free Booth at the Connect To Careers Job Fair on March 5th 2024 at the Hamilton Convention Centre retailed over $750.00!

Join the conversation today! Your opinion matters.

This cost-free training program serves as a valuable resource for employers seeking enduring workforce solutions. Canadian veterans emerge as a prime source of talent, characterized by their readiness for employment, unwavering loyalty, strong educational backgrounds, and advanced skill sets. With approximately 8,500 members of the Canadian Armed Forces transitioning into the civilian workforce, this talent pool holds significant potential.

In the Hidden Talent podcast, host and President Lisa Taylor underscores the existing gap between veterans and employers, emphasizing that the issue lies not in the veterans’ lack of education but rather in the differences between military and civilian educational experiences. Frequently, veterans are passed over during hiring due to misconceptions about their education. Lisa advocates for employers to delve into candidates’ skills and personalities, as formal education often holds limited relevance to essential job requirements.

In January 2023, Ontario grappled with nearly 372,000 job vacancies, straining employers’ efforts to fill positions. The VFO Challenge assumes a central role in rebalancing the labor market dynamics between employers and job seekers. As a viable solution to labor shortages, many employers can tap into the potential of veterans with limited relevant experience, offering them the necessary guidance to thrive in their roles.

Despite facing significant challenges, veterans remain emblematic of resilience and strength. A substantial number of veterans choose to leverage their experiences by participating in activities such as advocacy, mentorship, and support for fellow servicemen and servicewomen, solidifying their status as invaluable assets to the workforce and society at large.

Dare to accept the challenge? Join the VFO’s challenge virtual meetings on October 26th, November 2nd, and November 9th.

Cheena appreciated the support and guidance from the entire OEEEP team from the start of the program to completion. The process begins with reflecting on the purpose of a participant’s Equine journey, with online help to refresh soft skills through training and discussion. In the end, all participants are aided in finding a suitable placement or workplace according to everyone’s skills and interests. The OEEEP team keeps in regular contact with all participants to discuss progress, offer advice advise regarding suitable career paths in the future, and in coordinating other placement opportunities.

Cheena works at a rehabilitation facility for retired racehorses and looks forward to the daily care of her horses, keeping them healthy, and providing them with as much nurturing as needed to help them prepare for their next role. She hopes to enroll in additional Equine courses to gain more experience with a goal of becoming a facilitator once she gains more experience.

The Ontario Equine Education and Employment Program is for everyone who is interested in working with horses or looking for a career change. Register now to gain the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the industry. With convenient online learning, job search support, and opportunities to learn directly from industry professionals, OEEEP is an excellent choice for anyone interested in the Equine industry.

Upcoming information session will be hosted virtually on August 29th, September 6th, and September 12th. To apply, please register before September 11th. Space is limited!

Covered in Virtual/live class meetings:

• The Horse Anatomy, Physiology, Gaits and Behaviour
• Basic Handling and Safety Skills and daily management
• Horse Health and Disease Prevention
• Nutrition and Facility Management
• An introduction to the Ontario horse industry and employment

Eligibility and Suitability:

• Passion/Interest in working with/caring for horses
• Unemployed or underemployed
• Not in full time education/training
• 15+ years of age
• Ontario resident and legally entitled to work in Ontario

Benefits of the Equine Program:

• Building Connections within the Equine Industry
• Job placements for new graduates
• Learn from Equine Industry experts

What is most rewarding about Ihab’s job is the daily interaction with horses and students. Every day brings about its own challenge and he is always learning. Ihab is continuing to progress in the industry where he hopes to specialize in equine nutrition or work towards becoming a barn manager in the future! This program has been a positive experience for Ihab and helped him follow his childhood passion. OEEEP assisted and trained Ihab to be successful in the Equine industry.

Whether you are someone with a passion for horses or looking for a career change, this program can provide the necessary skills and knowledge to work in the industry. With convenient online learning, job search support, and the opportunity to learn directly from industry professionals, OEEEP is an excellent choice for anyone interested in the equine industry.

The next information session will be hosted virtually on May 30th, and June 7th. To apply, please register before June 6th. Space is limited!

Covered in Virtual/live class meetings:

• The Horse Anatomy, Physiology, Gaits and Behaviour
• Basic Handling and Safety Skills and daily management
• Horse Health and Disease Prevention
• Nutrition and Facility Management
• An introduction to the Ontario horse industry and employment

Eligibility and Suitability:

• Passion/Interest in working with/caring for horses
• Unemployed or underemployed
• Not in full time education/training
• 15+ years of age
• Ontario resident and legally entitled to work in Ontario

Benefits of the Equine Program:

• Building Connections within the Equine Industry
• Job placements for new graduates
• Learn from Equine Industry experts

Take your first steps to a career in the equine industry with expert training and job placement support! All you need is a passion for horses, let’s get started together.

VPI Working Solutions is proud to announce that the Ontario Equine Education and Employment Program (OEEEP) is back for 2023, after a successful summer in 2022. This program allows barn owners to find knowledgeable employees and recent graduates for their business operations to find stimulating employment within the equine industry.

This program is supported by Equine Guelph and in partnership with the Ontario government through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. The Ontario Harness Horse Association (OHHA) created this free program for participants to learn about horse care and welfare through a six-week training course taught by equine experts.

The next program begins on May 1st, 2023. To apply, please register here before April 27th.  Space is limited!

Covered in Virtual/live class meetings:

• The Horse Anatomy, Physiology, Gaits and Behaviour
• Basic Handling and Safety Skills and daily management
• Horse Health and Disease Prevention
• Nutrition and Facility Management
• An introduction to the Ontario horse industry and employment

Eligibility and Suitability:

• Passion/Interest in working with/caring for horses
• Unemployed or underemployed
• Not in full time education/training
• 15+ years of age
• Ontario resident and legally entitled to work in Ontario

Benefits of the Equine Program:

• Building Connections within the Equine Industry
• Job placements for new graduates
• Learn from Equine Industry experts

For several months, Greg had been looking for work seeking a job in tech that is closer to home. After months of applying to jobs, with no luck in landing an interview – he decided to reach out to VPI for help.

Greg met with a Career Specialist who developed a plan for him to meet his objective. Greg attended Resume Building and Cover letter workshops and received advice and assistance to tailor his search for the local area.

Shortly after, Greg landed an interview with a technology company that’s in his area. Greg aced his interview and was offered a position. As Greg put it, “As soon as I applied what I was taught, I got an interview and then the job.”

If you need help returning to work, we can help. Contact us today.

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.

For more information on the Better Jobs Ontario program, contact us today.

As a newcomer to Canada, Arti had international experience working in the Learning and Development field. But she was having difficulty finding a job in Canada that would allow her to use her experience and gain a better understanding of the Canadian workplace.

Arti set up an appointment to come into her local VPI Working Solutions branch in Mississauga. She met with a Career Specialist and together they came up with a plan to prepare her for the Canadian hiring process. Arti participated in several workshops including Resume Building, Job Interview and Networking and built up her confidence by attending job fairs and speaking with employers.

After becoming better prepared, Arti went for interviews and was hired for a full-time position. Her new role allows her to use her existing skills while also developing new ones. Most importantly, she is gaining valuable Canadian workplace experience that she can use toward any future job searches.

For more information on how we can help with your job search, Contact us today.