Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career)

Better Jobs Ontario

Get skills training and financial support when you qualify for Better Jobs Ontario

Are you unemployed, facing challenges such as finding a stable job? Are you a gig worker, youth or person collecting social assistance? If you have been unemployed for six months or longer, and are part of a low-income household, you may benefit from Better Jobs Ontario.

What is Better Jobs Ontario?

Better Jobs Ontario provides eligible applicants with skills training for in-demand jobs and financial support up to $28,000 for costs including:

tuition
books
transportation
student fees such as supplies and electronic devices
basic living allowance of up to $500 per week

The program may also provide funding for:

childcare
disability-related supports
living away from home
literacy and basic skills (LBS) and/or language training

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. To learn more about OSAP, click here.

Qualifying for Better Jobs Ontario

You qualify 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 months or longer and are part of a low-income household

You can still apply if you receive either:

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