Get Skills Training and Financial Support with Better Jobs Ontario
Overview:
Effective April 29, 2022, the Better Jobs Ontario program has been expanded to assist individuals facing challenges in securing stable employment, including gig workers, youth, and those on social assistance. If you have been unemployed for six months or longer and belong to a low-income household, these program changes may benefit you. Formerly known as Second Career, the program has been renamed to Better Jobs Ontario to better reflect its expanded scope.
For more information, please review the details on this webpage or contact an employment service provider in your area.
Program Benefits:
Better Jobs Ontario provides eligible applicants with:
- Skills training for in-demand jobs
- Financial support
Applicants can receive up to $28,000 to cover costs including:
- Tuition
- Books
- Other instructional costs (e.g., student fees, supplies, 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
Training Program Length:
The program focuses on training programs that are 52 weeks or less in duration, including micro-credential programs. For training programs longer than one year, applicants may apply to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for a mix of grants and loans.
Eligibility Criteria:
You may qualify for Better Jobs Ontario if you:
- Have been laid off and are not working, or are working a temporary job to cover costs
- Have been unemployed for six months or longer and are part of a low-income household
You are eligible to apply even if you receive:
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Ontario Works (OW)
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Special Consideration for COVID-19 Layoffs:
A fast-track stream is available for those laid off due to COVID-19, particularly in sectors with future employment potential. To qualify for fast-track approval:
- You were laid off on or after March 1, 2020.
- You have a high school education or less and were laid off from a job requiring no more than a high school education and job-specific training (e.g., food and beverage servers, flight attendants, retail salespersons).
- You were laid off from an industry heavily impacted by the pandemic, such as hospitality, food services, transportation, warehousing, or wholesale and retail trade.
- You seek training in a career in demand within a provincial priority area.
Application Process:
To apply to Better Jobs Ontario, contact an Employment Ontario agency. Staff will assist you in determining your eligibility and completing your application.
Find an agency in your community and schedule an appointment. Agency staff will help you gather the necessary information to support your application.
Application Preparation:
When preparing your application, you may need to provide:
- Proof of unemployment duration or temporary employment and job search efforts
- Educational background
- Employment history and required skills
- Desired skills and training locations
You must provide information for a financial needs assessment, including:
- Training-related costs
- Gross household income (before tax)
School Information:
Research at least three training institutions, ensuring at least one is a college of applied arts and technology and one is a private career college. If you are paying for your tuition and training costs yourself or applying through the fast-track process, research only one institution.
For more details on Better Jobs Ontario, contact an employment service provider or visit our website.
Related Information:
- Adult Learning
- Adjusting After Job Loss
Contact Information:
For further inquiries, contact the Government of Ontario.
Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development
The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development promotes safe, fair, and harmonious workplace practices essential to Ontario’s social and economic well-being.