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What is Better Jobs Ontario?

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) and/or language training

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 Do I Apply?

YMCA Employment Engagement Specialists are trained to:
  • Help you decide if this program is right for you
  • Help you to gather required information and complete your application
Call 519-371-9222 to get started.

How Do I Apply?

YMCA Employment Engagement Specialists are trained to:

Help you decide if this program is right for you

Help you to gather required information and complete your application

Call 519-371-9222 to get started.

Length of Training Programs

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.

If you want to attend training longer than one year, you can apply to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for a mix of grants and loans to help you pay for your postsecondary education.

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)

Getting Started

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