Better Jobs Ontario (formerly known as Second Career) is an Ontario government program that provides eligible applicants with skills training for in-demand jobs and financial support. It aims to help you rejoin the workforce quickly, and funds short-term training programs of 52 weeks or less, including micro-credentials, as well as longer programs of up to 2 years.

How much funding is available?

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 and up to 2 years in duration

Funding can help cover:

• Tuition
• Books
• Other instructional costs, including student fees, supplies and electronic devices
• Transportation
• A basic living allowance of up to $500 per week

Additional funding may be available for childcare, disability-related supports, living away from home, literacy and essential skills training through the Get Set (Skills, Education and Training) program, and language training.

The amount of support you receive is based on your individual needs and available funding.

Am I eligible?

You may qualify for Better Jobs Ontario if you have:

• Been laid off and are not 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 Employment Insurance (EI), Ontario Works (OW) or the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP).

Eligibility and funding decisions are made by the Government of Ontario, not by Sunview College.

How do I apply?

1. Contact an Employment Ontario service provider. Applications to Better Jobs Ontario are completed with an Employment Ontario service provider, who will help you decide whether the program is right for you and help you complete your application. You can find a service provider in your community through the Government of Ontario’s Better Jobs Ontario page.
2. Gather your information. You may need to show how long you have been unemployed (or working a temporary job) and looking for work, your level of education, your previous employment and the skills it required, and the skills you want to gain and where you can be trained in them.
3. Research training options. You must research at least 3 training institutions, including at least one college of applied arts and technology and at least one career college. If you are paying your own tuition and training costs, you only need to research 1. Better Jobs Ontario supports the most cost-effective training options.
4. Provide your financial information. Your application must include information for a financial needs assessment, such as your tuition and book costs and your gross (before tax) household income.
5. Wait for a decision. The Government of Ontario reviews your application and your financial needs to decide whether you qualify and how much support you can receive.

How Sunview College can help

Sunview College is registered as a career college under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005, so our programs can be included in the training options you research for your application. Our education consultants can help you choose a program that fits your career goals and give you the program details and costs you’ll need when you apply.

Call us at (905) 279-0123 or book a free Career Counselling session to find the program that’s right for you.

Program details are set by the Government of Ontario and may change. For the most current information, visit ontario.ca/page/better-jobs-ontario.