It is unfortunate how many dedicated, hardworking individuals have been laid-off during this pandemic.
For many of these people, the landscape has changed, permanently. In some cases, lost jobs did not return. Employers looked elsewhere. Businesses shut down. In other cases, there were reluctancies to come back to past jobs due to personal health concerns. Whatever the reasons, many are now re-examining their prospects. Fortunately, there is help! There are programs and platforms where you can explore new opportunities and new lines of work. In other words, you can hit reset, start fresh and level up.
Ontario’s Second Career is one such program. It provides eligible laid-off workers with new skills training to help them find new jobs and careers in high-demand industries across Ontario that are facing major labour shortages.
How much help and support do I get?
Funding for this program is provided through the Ministry of Labour Training and Skills Development. You can receive up to $28, 000 to help you gain new skills so you can get into a new career or trade. Training programs can last up to 52 weeks, depending on what you decide to pursue. Key point here is this is NOT a loan! This funding is provided for individuals (like you?) who have been negatively impacted by economic, occupational and societal factors that are often beyond one’s control.
The program includes a number of benefits which include paying for your tuition, books, materials and other institutional costs associated with the training. This can also include childcare, transportation and rent, among other assistance. The government has increased the weekly basic living allowance up to $500 a week for those pursuing training for the purpose of starting a new career.
So if you want to move up, or just in a different direction, and you’re NOT afraid of hard work, continue reading!
Not everyone can get into this program, there are RULES!
Eligibility
- You have been laid-off/unemployed OR have been laid-off and are working a temporary job just to cover costs of living
- You are receiving Employment Insurance (EI), or have received it in the past
- You are an Ontario resident, Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or Approved Convention Refugee or Refugee Claimant
- Your skills training has good labour prospects
Ineligibility
- If you are working a full-time job, have quit or have been terminated
- If you have taken a leave of absence
- If you are restricted from receiving assistance under OSAP (Ontario Student Assistance Program)
- If you have already started your skills training before being approved by the Ministry, or if you have completed a program in the last two years
- If you intend to return to school in the upcoming academic school year
Do I have to pay for anything?
When you apply to Second Career you will be asked to provide information in order to assess your financial needs. What that means for you is that any costs to be covered during training will depend on your gross (before tax!) household income. So the amount of support provided to each person is based on individual needs.
How do I get started?
Just like anything else there will be an application to fill out. To apply to Second Career, you’ll work with an employment services agency. Here are a few things you will have to show when preparing your application:
- How long you have been unemployed, working your temporary job, and/or looking for work
- The places you have applied to and the positions you have applied for (using examples of tailored cover letters and resumes, as well as responses from potential employers if available)
- Your level of education
- Your previous employment history, including how long you worked there and the skills that were required
- What skills you want to obtain and where you can get trained
As for the actual courses and training, you may be wondering, where am I doing it? Am I going in person, remote or both? Am I guaranteed employment upon completion? All fair questions!
Skills Training:
Training is provided through both accredited colleges and private colleges. Below is just an example of a few to exhibit the difference between the two, but is definitely not exclusive.
Accredited Colleges Private Colleges
Sheridan College Trios College
Humber College CIMT College
George Brown College Westervelt College
Mohawk College Canadian All Care College
Conestoga College Institute of Technical Trades Ltd.
You’ll be required to do the research to see which program and college is right for you. But you have options, including:
- Project Management/IT
- Web & App Development
- Personal Support Worker
- Early Childhood Assistant
- Food Service Worker
- Trades – HVAC – Electrician – Welding
- Logistics & Supply Chain Management
Visit this site for an extended list of career options
Now if all of this sounds a bit overwhelming don’t be discouraged! There’s a lot to unpack here and we’ll be writing more about Second Career and all the different opportunities it offers. But if you’re interested in learning more about it, or want some help figuring out if it’s right for you, one of our recruiters will be more than happy to get on a call and answer any questions you may have. If you’re interested, drop us a line at info@essentialhiring.com, and we’ll be in touch.
To your success!
