Get skills training and financial support when you qualify for Better Jobs Ontario (formerly known as Second Career).

What is Better Jobs Ontario?

• Better Jobs Ontario is a grant program offered through Employment Ontario for people to attend skill training for in-demand jobs 
• The program is designed to support individuals who require some re-training to return to work 
• BJO offers up to $28,000 to cover the cost of re-training (this can include tuition, books, and more) 
• Better Jobs Ontario aims to help you rejoin the workforce quickly. That’s why the program focuses on training programs that take 52 weeks or less to complete, including micro-credential programs

Who is Eligible for Better Jobs Ontario?

You may be eligible for Better Jobs Ontario if you either:

• 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 unemployed for six (6) months or longer and are part of a low-income household
• You are currently a resident of Ontario 
• You are legally eligible to work in Canada

You can still apply to Better Jobs Ontario if you receive either:

• Employment Insurance (EI)
• Ontario Works (OW)
• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)

What is Better Jobs Ontario Fast Track?

In addition to the main program, a fast track stream is also available for those who were laid off due to COVID-19 and want to retrain for jobs in sectors that have the potential for future employment.

Who is Eligible for the Fast Track Stream of BJO?

If you meet the below criteria, you may be eligible for the fast track stream:

• You were laid off on or after March 1, 2020
• You have a high school education or less, you were laid-off from an occupation requiring no more than a high school education and job-specific training, such as food and beverage servers, flight attendants and retail salespersons
• You were laid-off from an industry hit hard by the pandemic, such as hospitality and food services, transportation and warehousing or wholesale and retail trade
• You want to train for a career in demand in a local community or provincial priority area

PLEASE NOTE: If you would like more information, please contact us to attend one of our information sessions and receive further assessment with a case manager. 

Information You'll Require for Further Assessment

When preparing your application, you will have to show:

• How long you have been unemployed, or working your temporary job, and looking for work
• Places you have applied and positions you have applied for (for example, cover letters, CVs or resumes, and responses from potential employers)
• 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

Next Steps

If you think you meet the requirements for Better Jobs Ontario or would like more information, please click here to contact us today.

If you do not believe you meet the requirements, you can always review our Available Job Listings for currently open positions from various employers.