Are you in Toronto and facing challenges finding stable employment? The Toronto Second Career Program, also known as Better Jobs Ontario, is designed to provide crucial support. This initiative helps individuals across Ontario, including Toronto, gain new skills for in-demand jobs through financial assistance for training. If you’ve been unemployed for six months or more and are part of a low-income household, or facing other employment barriers, this program could be your pathway to a brighter career.
Originally known as Second Career, the program expanded on April 29, 2022, to assist a broader range of individuals, including gig workers and youth, and was renamed Better Jobs Ontario to reflect this wider scope. It remains a vital resource for those in Toronto seeking to re-enter the workforce or change career paths.
What Better Jobs Ontario Offers
The Better Jobs Ontario program, relevant for Toronto residents, provides eligible applicants with two key benefits:
- Skills Training for In-Demand Jobs: Focus on training that leads to careers currently in demand across Ontario and within the Toronto job market.
- Financial Support: Access up to $28,000 to cover essential costs associated with training.
This financial support can be used for a range of necessary expenses, including:
- Tuition Fees: Covering the cost of your chosen training program.
- Books and Learning Materials: Ensuring you have all required textbooks and study resources.
- Instructional Costs: This includes student fees, essential supplies, and even electronic devices needed for your training.
- Transportation: Assistance with travel costs to and from your training location within Toronto or the GTA.
- Basic Living Allowance: Receive up to $500 per week to help with living expenses while you focus on your training.
Furthermore, additional funding may be available to address specific needs, such as:
- Childcare Costs: Supporting parents to participate in training.
- Disability-Related Support Services: Ensuring accessibility and inclusivity within the program.
- Living Away From Home Allowance: For individuals who need to relocate for training opportunities.
- Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) and Language Training: Programs to enhance foundational skills if needed before vocational training.
Is the Toronto Second Career Program Right for You? Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for Better Jobs Ontario (Toronto Second Career Program), you must meet specific criteria. You may qualify if either of these situations applies to you:
- Laid-off and Underemployed: If you have been laid off from a previous job and are either not working or only working a temporary job to meet basic financial needs.
- Long-Term Unemployed: If you have been unemployed for six months or longer and are part of a low-income household.
Importantly, you can still apply for the Toronto Second Career Program even if you are currently receiving financial assistance from other programs, such as:
- 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 application stream for individuals in Toronto and across Ontario who were laid off due to COVID-19. This accelerated process is designed to help people quickly retrain for jobs in sectors with strong future prospects.
You may be eligible for the fast-track stream if you meet these 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 were laid off from a job that typically requires no more than a high school education and brief job-specific training (e.g., roles in food service, retail, or transportation).
- Industry Sector: Your previous employment was in an industry significantly affected by the pandemic, such as hospitality, food services, transportation, warehousing, or retail.
- Training Goals: You are seeking training for a career in a sector identified as a provincial priority area with strong job demand.
How to Apply for the Toronto Second Career Program
To start your application for Better Jobs Ontario in Toronto, you will need to connect with an Employment Ontario agency. These agencies have trained staff who can guide you through the entire process.
Employment Ontario agency staff will assist you with:
- Determining Program Suitability: Helping you assess if Better Jobs Ontario is the right program to meet your career goals.
- Application Assistance: Providing support and guidance in completing your application accurately and effectively.
To find an agency in your Toronto community and schedule an appointment, you should consult the Employment Ontario website or directory.
Preparing Your Application – Key Information
When preparing your application for the Toronto Second Career Program, be ready to provide information that demonstrates your need and suitability for the program. This may include showing:
- Unemployment Duration: How long you have been unemployed or underemployed and actively seeking work.
- Job Search Activities: Details of places you have applied for jobs and the types of positions you have sought.
- Educational Background: Your highest level of education attained.
- Employment History: Information about your previous jobs, the duration of employment, and the skills you utilized.
- Training Interests: The specific skills you want to acquire and potential training institutions where you can gain these skills.
The level of financial support provided through Better Jobs Ontario is determined based on individual needs and the availability of program funding.
As part of your application, you will need to provide information for a financial needs assessment, including:
- Training Cost Estimates: An overview of the anticipated costs associated with your chosen training program.
- Household Income Details: Your gross (pre-tax) household income.
Choosing a Training Institution
When considering training options, the Toronto Second Career Program requires you 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: These Ontario colleges offer a wide range of career-focused programs.
- At least one Private Career College: Private career colleges provide specialized vocational training programs.
You are only required to research a single training institution if you are in one of these situations:
- Self-Funded Tuition: You plan to pay for your tuition and training costs independently of program funding.
- Fast-Track Application: You are applying through the fast-track stream for COVID-19 related layoffs.
To find suitable training institutions, you can explore the lists of Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology or Private Career Colleges in Ontario, focusing on those in the Toronto area for convenience.
The Toronto Second Career Program, or Better Jobs Ontario, is a valuable resource for individuals in Toronto looking to enhance their skills and pursue new career opportunities. By providing financial aid and focusing on in-demand training, this program helps people overcome employment barriers and build a more secure future.
