Are you facing challenges in finding stable employment? Perhaps you’re a gig worker seeking more security, a young person entering a competitive job market, or someone relying on social assistance looking for a way forward. If you’ve been unemployed for six months or more and are part of a low-income household in Ontario, then Second Career Ontario Programs might be the turning point you need.
The program, now known as Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career), has been expanded as of April 29, 2022, to offer more comprehensive support to individuals exactly like you. It’s designed to equip you with the skills necessary to thrive in today’s job market and embark on a fulfilling new career path.
To fully understand how Better Jobs Ontario can benefit you, explore the details below and connect with an Employment Ontario service provider in your local area. They are your gateway to accessing this valuable program.
Discover Better Jobs Ontario: Your Skills Training and Financial Support System
Better Jobs Ontario is more than just a program; it’s an investment in your future. It provides eligible residents of Ontario with two crucial components for career transformation:
- Skills Training for In-Demand Jobs: Focus on sectors and roles where there is real employment potential and growth.
- Financial Support: Reduce the financial barriers that can prevent you from pursuing retraining.
Imagine accessing up to $28,000 to cover essential costs associated with your training journey. This funding can be allocated to:
- Tuition Fees: Covering the cost of your chosen training program.
- Textbooks and Learning Materials: Ensuring you have the resources you need to learn effectively.
- Mandatory Instructional Costs: Including student fees, essential supplies, and even electronic devices required for your program.
- Transportation Expenses: Helping you get to and from your training location.
- Basic Living Allowance: Providing up to $500 per week to help with your day-to-day living costs while you focus on your studies.
Furthermore, additional financial assistance may be available depending on your individual circumstances, covering areas such as:
- Childcare Costs: Enabling parents to participate in training without worry.
- Disability-Related Support Services: Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity for all participants.
- Living Away From Home Allowance: Assisting those who need to relocate for training opportunities.
- Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) and/or Language Training: Providing foundational skills development if needed before starting job-specific training.
Training Program Duration: Get Back to Work Sooner
Better Jobs Ontario is designed to help you re-enter the workforce efficiently. This is why the program prioritizes shorter, focused training programs, typically 52 weeks or less in duration. This includes micro-credential programs that offer specialized skills in a shorter timeframe.
For individuals seeking longer training programs exceeding one year, the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) offers another avenue for financial aid. OSAP provides a combination of grants and loans to support your post-secondary education goals.
Are You Eligible for Second Career Ontario Programs?
To determine if you qualify for Better Jobs Ontario, consider these eligibility criteria. You may be eligible if you are in either of these situations:
- Laid-off and Underemployed: You have been laid off from a previous job and are either not working at all or are currently in a temporary position simply to make ends meet.
- Long-Term Unemployed and Low-Income: You have not been laid off but have been unemployed for six months or longer and belong to a low-income household.
Importantly, you can still apply for Better Jobs Ontario even if you are currently receiving financial assistance through:
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Ontario Works (OW)
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Fast-Track Option for COVID-19 Related Layoffs
Recognizing the impact of the pandemic, Better Jobs Ontario offers a fast-track stream specifically for individuals laid off due to COVID-19. This accelerated process is designed to quickly retrain individuals for careers in sectors with strong future prospects.
You may be eligible for the fast-track stream if your application meets all of the following conditions:
- Layoff Date: You were laid off on or after March 1, 2020.
- Education and Previous Occupation: You have a high school education or less, and your previous occupation, from which you were laid off, typically required no more than a high school education and job-specific training. Examples include roles in food and beverage service, flight attendants, and retail salespersons.
- Industry Sector: You were laid off from an industry significantly impacted by the pandemic, such as hospitality and food services, transportation and warehousing, or wholesale and retail trade.
- Training Goals: You are seeking training for a career that is in high demand within a provincial priority sector.
How to Apply for Better Jobs Ontario: Your Step-by-Step Guide
The application process for Better Jobs Ontario is designed to be supportive and guided. You will work closely with a trained professional at an Employment Ontario agency. These agencies are equipped to:
- Assess Program Suitability: Help you determine if Better Jobs Ontario aligns with your career goals and circumstances.
- Application Assistance: Provide expert guidance and support in completing your application accurately and effectively.
To begin your application journey, the first step is to locate an Employment Ontario agency in your community and schedule an appointment.
Agency staff will work with you to gather all the necessary documentation and information required to support your Better Jobs Ontario application.
Preparing a Strong Application: Key Information You’ll Need
When preparing your application, be ready to provide information that demonstrates your need for and commitment to retraining. This may include documenting:
- Duration of Unemployment: How long you have been unemployed or in temporary work and actively seeking stable employment.
- Job Search Activities: Details of places you have applied for jobs and the specific positions you have pursued.
- Educational Background: Your highest level of education attained.
- Previous Work History: Information about your past employment, including the duration of employment and the skills required in those roles.
- Training Goals: Clearly articulate the skills you want to acquire through training and where you plan to receive that training.
The level of financial support provided through Better Jobs Ontario is based on your individual needs and the availability of program funding.
As part of your application, you will need to provide information for a financial needs assessment. This includes outlining:
- Training Cost Estimates: An overview of the anticipated costs associated with your chosen training program.
- Gross Household Income: Details of your household income before taxes.
Choosing Your Training Institution: Essential Research Steps
A crucial part of your application involves researching and selecting suitable training institutions. You are required to research at least three training institutions to ensure they offer the specific training you need. Your research must include at least:
- One College of Applied Arts and Technology: Ontario’s public college system.
- One Private Career College: Registered private vocational schools.
However, you are only required to research one training institution if either of these situations apply:
- Self-Funded Tuition: You are personally paying for your tuition and training costs.
- Fast-Track Application: You are applying through the fast-track stream for COVID-19 related layoffs.
Utilize these resources to find suitable institutions:
Take the first step towards a brighter career future today by exploring second career ontario programs through Better Jobs Ontario. Connect with an Employment Ontario agency and unlock your potential for a successful second career.
