What is Better Jobs Ontario?
Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career) is a grant program that provides laid-off, unemployed individuals with skills training to help them find employment in high demand occupations. The program provides qualified applicants with up to $28,000 for
eligible costs, including tuition, books, manuals, workbooks or other instructional costs, transportation, basic living allowance and child care.
Below you will find more information about:
Who can qualify
- Have been laid off and have not been working or are working a temporary job just to cover costs
- Have not been laid off but have been unemployment for six months or longer and are part of a low income household
You can still apply if you receive either: Employment Insurance (EI), Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
While the Better Jobs Ontario program is open to unemployed jobseekers, a fast-track stream is available if you were laid-off because of COVID-19 and want to retrain for jobs in sectors that have potential for future employment. The new fast-track approval
process prioritizes individuals who:
- Apply to a program that can be completed in 52 weeks or less;
- Apply to a program for occupations in demand locally, as well as in priority areas such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, information and communications technology, and supportive health services; and
- Have been.laid-off from an industry hit hard by the pandemic, such as hospitality and food services, transportation and warehousing or wholesale and retail trade
For full eligibility, visit the Better Jobs Ontario website.
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New funding vs old funding
Individuals who may not be eligible for the fast-track Better Jobs Ontario funding model should speak to an Employment Ontario representative.
Individuals may still be eligible for the traditional Better Jobs Ontario funding model.
How to Apply
Funding Applications
Visit any of the following agencies to begin the Better Jobs Ontario funding application process:
- Lambton College Community Employment Services
- 4248 Oil Heritage Road
- Petrolia, ON
- 519-882-4333
- ces@lambtoncollege.ca
- Four Winds Community Employment Services
- 9156 Tecumseh Lane
- Forest, ON
- 519-786-6780
- Goodwill Career Centre
- 1249 London Road
- Sarnia, ON
- 519-332-4333
- customerservice@goodwillindustries.ca