Better Jobs Ontario
Better Jobs Ontario offers up to $35,000 to help job seekers get the skills they need for in-demand careers (formerly Second Career).
All three Community Employment Services (CES) locations are proud to serve as Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) assessment centres. We will help you explore new career options and gather the information needed to apply. BJO offers up to $35,000 in grant funding for tuition and training costs. Learn the skills local employers are hiring for and take the next step toward meaningful work.
Better Jobs Ontario provides eligible applicants with:
- skills training for in-demand jobs
- financial support
Better Jobs Ontario aims to help you rejoin the workforce quickly. The program offers funding for both:
- short-term training programs that take 52 weeks or less to complete, including micro-credential programs
- longer duration programs that take 2 years or less to complete
You can apply for up to:
- $28,000 for training that is 1 year or less in duration
- $35,000 for programs that are more than 1 year in duration
The costs this funding can cover include:
- 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)
- language training
Up to $35,000 in Support
BJO is a grant to help with tuition, books, transport, plus a weekly basic living allowance while you are in training. Extra support is available for childcare, disability needs, and relocation.
Expanded Access to Funding
Now open to more people, including unemployed, laid off, working a temporary job after a layoff, in a low-income household, receiving EI or social assistance (OW, ODSP).
Flexible Training Options
Use funding for short-term programs (up to 1 year), longer programs (up to 2 years), or micro-credentials. Training must lead to in-demand jobs in Ontario and be delivered by approved institutions.
Eligibility
You may qualify for Better Jobs Ontario if you have either:
- been laid off and have not been working
- been laid off and are working a temporary job just to cover costs
- not been laid-off, but have been unemployed for 12 weeks or longer and are part of a low-income household
You can still apply if you receive any of the following forms of income assistance: Employment Insurance (EI); Ontario Works (OW); Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).
How to apply to Better Jobs Ontario funding
To apply, make an appointment with Community Employment Services to help you decide if this program is right for you and help you to complete your application. Our CES team will help you gather the information needed to support your BJO application. To get started, call us or complete the online request form below.
Preparing your application with CES
When preparing your application, you may have to show:
- how long you have been unemployed, or working your temporary job, and looking for work
- level of education obtained
- previous employment, how long you worked there and skills that were required
- what skills you want to obtain and where you can get trained in them
The amount of support you may receive is based on individual needs and available funding.
When you apply to Better Jobs Ontario, you must provide information to support a financial needs assessment, such as:
- some of the costs to be covered during training (meaning tuition and books)
- your gross (before tax) household income
School information
You must research at least 3 training institutions to make sure they offer the training you need. You must include at least:
- one college of applied arts and technology
- one private career college
You are only required to research 1 training institution if you pay for your tuition and training costs on your own.
Note that Better Jobs Ontario supports the most cost-effective training options.
Do you have questions or ready to get started?
Request an appointment with an employment counsellor to answer any questions you may have about Better Jobs Ontario. Contact the CES location closest to you (Perth 613-267-1381, Pembroke 613-735-4308, Eganville 613-628-1700) or complete the online request form below.
The Better Jobs Ontario Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario and through the Canada-Ontario Job Fund Agreement.
Talk to us about Better Jobs Ontario funding
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