Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career)
About Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career)
What is Better Jobs Ontario?
Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career) is an Ontario government program that helps eligible applicants with financial support to gain necessary skills training for in-demand jobs in their community.
It is a cost-sharing grant provided on the basis of need, which provides funding help up to $28,000 to pay for:
- tuition
- books
- other instructional costs (e.g. student fees, supplies and electronic devices)
- transportation
- basic living allowance (maximum $410 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
Do I qualify?
You can apply to Better Jobs Ontario if:
- you have been laid-off and have not been working
- you have been laid-off and are working a temporary job just to cover costs
- you have not been laid-off but have been unemployed for six months or longer and are part of a low-income household
- if you receive Employment Insurance (EI), Ontario Works (OW) or Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
To find out if you qualify for Better Jobs Ontario or other government funding, please visit an Employment Ontario Assessment Centre for an assessment interview.
How does Better Jobs Ontario work?
Better Jobs Ontario starts with a visit to an Employment Ontario Assessment Centre. A case manager will talk to you about your goals, and the kind of help you need. If Better Jobs Ontario is the right choice for you, the case manager will help you prepare a training plan and apply.
Who issues program funding?
Funding may be available through the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development’s Better Jobs Ontario program for those who qualify. Georgian College will guide you through the process of collecting information needed for your application; however, the Ministry grants the funding, not the colleges themselves.
How long can training programs be?
The Better Jobs Ontario program aims to help people rejoin the workforce quickly. That’s why the program is focusing on supporting training programs that take 52 weeks or less, including micro-credential programs. After Jan. 8, 2021, if you who want to attend training longer than one year, you can apply for Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for a mix of grants and loans to help pay for your postsecondary education. Students who were approved for funding prior to Jan. 8, 2021 are unaffected by the new 52-week or less requirement.
Where do I start?
If you are interested in Better Jobs Ontario funding, the best place to start is Georgian College Career and Employment Community Services. They have information sessions about Better Jobs Ontario and can help you discuss your career options and how to get started with the process. The funding process involves assessing if you’re eligible and researching which program and institution best suits your needs.
Barrie
Georgian College Career and Employment Community Services
48 Collier St.
Barrie, ON L4M 1G8
Phone: 705.722.1505
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Orangeville
Georgian College Career and Employment Community Services, Orangeville
Edelbrock Centre
30 Centre St.
Orangeville, ON L9W 2X1
Phone: 519.942.9986, ext. 5641
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Orillia
Georgian College Career and Employment Community Services, Orillia Campus
825 Memorial Ave., Room A200
Orillia, ON L3V 6S2
Phone: 705.329.3102
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
How do I apply?
Please see below for the steps required to apply for both Better Jobs Ontario funding, as well as to a Georgian College program.
Make an appointment
Meet with a case manager at a Career and Employment Centre in your area to determine your suitability as well as your eligibility for the Better Jobs Ontario program.
- Georgian College Centre for Career and Employment contact information
- Employment Ontario Assessment Centre information
Choose a program
Once you have met with your case manager and have discussed career options, choose a Georgian College program that may be eligible for Better Jobs Ontario funding.
Georgian College full-time programs
Better Jobs Ontario information sheets for your funding application. If the program you are interested in is not listed, please email [email protected]
Review the requirements
Review the admission requirements for your desired program. You must meet these requirements to receive your Georgian College Letter of Acceptance and to attend any of Georgian’s full time programs.
Admission requirements can be found on the program outlines.
Need upgrading? Connect with our Academic and Career Preparation team to discuss funding for upgrading.
Apply for the program
Apply online through the Ontario Colleges Applications Services (OCAS) for your desired Georgian College full-time program. Visit our Admissions/Apply page for more details on the application process.
Applications received by Feb. 1 will be considered equally for highly competitive programs. A list of these highly competitive programs is available on the OCAS Highly Competitive Program Chart.
Do your research
You may be asked by your case manager to research Georgian College and your desired program. You will find questions and answers as well as links that may be helpful you when doing your research for Better Jobs Ontario on the Research tab.
Confirm your offer
Once you have been accepted, you can confirm your offer through OCAS. You will then receive an email from Ontario Colleges. You can also expect to receive an invoice stating your payment deadlines.
Please make sure fees are paid by the payment deadlines to ensure a seat in the program. Visit the confirm your seat page for further details.
Apply for funding
You will be required to provide the following to the Career and Employment Centre to complete your funding application for Ministry approval:
- letter of acceptance
- research
- program info sheet
- invoice
Payments
Arrange to make your tuition fee payment by the due date that appears on your invoice.
Please note: If your Ministry funding has not come through by the due date, you must make a minimum non-refundable deposit payment of $250 by the specified payment date outlined on your invoice to confirm your seat.
Once the deposit has been made by the due date, you will be able to register into your courses and you agree to pay the balance of your fees with the full balance being due upon receipt from the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development or as outlined on your invoice.
Please retain your tuition receipts. If you require additional proof of tuition payments, please visit the Registrar’s Office with your identification. Ask for a Confirmation of Registration, this will show fees paid for that semester, as well as the full-time courses currently registered for that semester.
For further information on fee payments and dates, please see your invoice and the tuition and fees page.
Sign your contract
Once approved by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, you will be asked to sign a contract by your Career and Employment Centre case manager.
What programs are available?
The programs listed below may be eligible under Better Jobs Ontario. Your case manager at your Career and Employment Centre will help you determine an appropriate program. If you are interested in a program that is not listed below please contact us at [email protected] to request an information sheet.
Please also see our listing of full-time programs for additional information.
Once you and your case manager have decided on a program, you can apply to the college through Ontario Colleges (OCAS).
Fall 2022
- Addictions: Treatments and Preventions (ADTP) – Orillia
- Advanced Care Paramedic (PARM) – Barrie
- Art and Design Fundamentals (AADF) – Barrie
- Artificial Intelligence (AIDI) – Barrie
- Baking and Pastry Arts (BAKE) – Barrie
- Big Data Analytics (BDAT) – Barrie
- Business Management (BMGT) – Barrie
- Bookkeeping (BOKP) – South Georgian Bay
- Business Fundamentals (BSFN) – Orangeville
- Cabinetmaking Techniques (CABT) – Barrie
- Communicative Disorders Assistant (CODA) – Barrie
- Carpentry and Renovation Techniques (CRNT) – Barrie
- Culinary Skills (CULI) – Barrie
- Culinary Skills (CULI) – Owen Sound
- Dental Assisting (DNAS) – Barrie
- Electrical Techniques (ELTQ) – Midland
- Electrical Techniques (ELTQ) – Owen Sound
- Event Management (EVNT) – Barrie
- Food and Nutrition Management (FDNM) – Barrie
- Gas Technician (GAST) – Barrie
- Global Supply Chain Management (GSCM) – Barrie
- Human Resources Management (HRMN) – Barrie
- Information Security Systems Specialist (INSS) – Barrie
- Kitchen and Bath Design (KBDE) – Barrie
- Mobile Application Development (MDEV) – Barrie
- Marketing Management (MKMN) – Barrie
- Medical Skin Care Therapies (MSCT) – Barrie
- Mechanical Technician – Marine (MTME) – Midland
- Mechanical Technician – Small Engines (MTSE) – Midland
- Museum and Gallery Studies (MUSM) – Barrie
- Office Administration – General (OFAG) – Barrie
- Office Administration – General (OFAG) – Owen Sound
- Office Administration – General (OFAG) – South Georgian Bay
- Paralegal (PARL) – Barrie
- Personal Support Worker (PSWR) – Barrie
- Personal Support Worker (PSWR) – Orangeville and Muskoka
- Personal Support Worker (PSWR) – Owen Sound
- Pre-Health Sciences (PHPA) – Barrie
- Plumbing Techniques (PLTQ) – Midland
- Pre-Health Sciences (PHPA) – Owen Sound
- Pre-Health Sciences (PHPA) – Orangeville
- Pre-Service Firefighter (FIRE) – Barrie
- Project Management (PRJM) – Barrie
- Research Analyst (RAPP) – Barrie
- Therapeutic Recreation (TREC) – Orillia
- Welding Techniques (WETC) – Midland
- Welding Techniques (WETC) – Owen Sound
Winter 2022
- Art and Design Fundamentals – AADF (Barrie)
- Artificial Intelligence – AIDI (Barrie)
- Big Data Analytics – BDAT (Barrie)
- Culinary Skills – CULI (Barrie)
- Dental Assisting – DNAS (Barrie)
- Food and Nutrition Management – FDNM (Barrie)
- Hairstyling – HAIR (Barrie)
- Human Resources Management – HRMN (Barrie)
- Information Systems Security Specialist – INSS (Barrie)
- Office Administration – General – OFAG (Barrie)
- Paralegal – PARL (Barrie)
- Pre-Health Sciences Pathway to Advanced Diplomas and Degrees – PHPA (Barrie)
- Project Management – PRJM (Barrie)
- Personal Support Worker – PSWR (Barrie)
- Research Analyst – RAPP (Barrie)
- Veterinary Assistant – VETA (Orillia)
Research
Georgian College FAQ
For contact information including mailing addresses and phone numbers for each campus location, please visit our campus location page.
No. Georgian is a publicly funded college – College of Applied Arts and Technology
Yes. For tax information, please visit the income tax page.
There are many ways Georgian connects with communities, as well as with our alumni. Our students are out in the community on co-op, apprenticeship and internship placements. Through our service learning curriculum, they take part in a broad range of community events. Applied research projects allow them to work with local businesses to solve real-world problems.
Members of the community, as well as our alumni, become industry partners and employers. They have access to our Health and Wellness Clinics and conference and event facilities, advise on program development, participate in college governance, become donors and more.
We value these relationships, and are continually striving to find new ways to strengthen our existing connections, and make new ones.
If you do not have your grade 12 diploma, meet the admission requirements of a college program, feel you are ready to work at the postsecondary level or are concerned about your academic skills, you may benefit from Georgian’s academic upgrading and college preparation programs. Visit Academic and Career Preparation for information.
Please refer to the Georgian College policies and procedures
For admissions requirements, please contact the Office of the Registrar and speak with the admissions officer for your desired program.
Office of the Registrar
705.722.1511
[email protected]
Better Jobs Ontario FAQ
Once your funding contract has been signed, contact the Financial Aid department to determine eligibility for OSAP.
The length of the application process can be different for everyone and depends on how long it takes an applicant to complete and submit their Better Jobs Ontario Career application.
Yes, you can request a review. You must send a letter requesting a review to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development. You must submit your request in writing within 30 days of the date on the denial letter you received and clearly outline any additional information you now have to present.
If you have questions regarding your Better Jobs Ontario application, please contact your case manager through an Employment Assessment Centre and/or the Better Jobs direct line, 705.722.1575 or email [email protected]
Program FAQ
Please see the Better Jobs Ontario information sheets for information on a specific program.
This depends on the type of class and program. There is typically between 30 to 45 students per class.
This depends on the class you are taking. If it’s a program where you are required to purchase your own equipment, you would be given this information on the information sheets for each specific program.
Most programs are 18 hours per week. See the Better Jobs Ontario information sheets for more information.
Most courses are offered in a classroom. However, depending on the course, it may also be offered online.
You will be able to choose your timetable in mid to late August.
Most programs only have a September start date, but some have a September as well as a January and/or May start date. Please see the program outline for specific dates.
This depends on the program. Please see the program outline for further details.
Typically both are required, but this will depend on the course.
A minimum of 60 per cent overall average is required for most programs. Please see the program outline for the specific requirement.
Please visit the program page. At the top of the page, you will see general information including the type of credential you will receive. This information can also be found on the info. sheet for the program you are interested in.
See the Better Jobs Ontario information sheets for specific dates.
See the Better Jobs Ontario information sheets for specific dates.
For more detailed information, you are welcome to contact the program area or the co-ordinator of the program you are interested in researching
Program co-ordinator contact information can be found in the student portal.
Who do I contact?
If you have questions regarding your Better Jobs Ontario application, please contact your case manager through an Employment Assessment Centre.
For further information please see the contacts below.
General inquiries
Georgian College, Better Jobs Ontario
705.722.1575
[email protected]
Program admission requirements
Office of the Registrar
705.722.1511
[email protected]
