The Second Career Strategy will help recently laid-off workers who require long-term skills training to find work in high-skill occupations that are in demand in the local labour market.
The strategy provides financial assistance based on individual need to help people with some of the costs associated with acquiring training, including tuition and books.
The Second Career Strategy is part of the government three-year, $1.5 billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan announced in March 2008.
Recently laid-off workers can participate in the Second Career Strategy, including those who are eligible for Employment Insurance and those who are not. Please contact your local Employment Ontario office to discuss your options.
Call the toll-free Employment Ontario hotline at 1-800-387-5656, TTY (telephone service for the deaf) 1-866-768-1157 for more information about how to access the Second Career Strategy in your area. Newcomers to Ontario can ask for this information in the language of their choice.
Laid off? Looking for a new career? Second Career is an Ontario government program that can help you:
Second Career helps people get the training or education they need to get a good job. It provides financial help up to $28,000 to pay for tuition and things like:
Second Career starts with a visit to an Employment Ontario assessment centre.
A counsellor will talk to you about your goals, and the kind of help you need. If Second Career is the right choice, the counsellor will help you prepare a training plan and apply for Second Career.
Our counsellors will help you get started and provide ongoing advice.
Your counsellor will want to know about:
This will help you and your counsellor think about the kinds of careers you would enjoy, and be successful at.
If you think Second Career might be right for you, visit an Employment Ontario assessment centre and learn more.
You can find an assessment centre on this website.
Or you can call the toll-free Employment Ontario hotline at 1-800-387-5656 and ask about the centre nearest you.
Second Career can help you train for a new career in colleges and private career colleges right across Ontario. There are many high-demand careers to choose from, including:
June 5, 2008 3:03 PM
Ontario is investing $355 million to help 20,000 recently laid-off workers get long-term training. The training will launch the workers into new, high-skill occupations that are in demand in their communities. The program is called Second Career.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Recently laid-off unemployed workers, those eligible to receive Employment Insurance and those who are not, are welcome to visit their nearest Employment Ontario office for more information.
WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE?
Employment Ontario counsellors will help workers determine the best path to a new job or career. Once eligible workers decide what training they would like to do, Second Career provides financial assistance based on individual need to help cover tuition, books, living expenses, disability support, dependant care and transportation.
WHEN DOES IT START?
The program is available now. Training for a second career can take anywhere from six months to two years. Training is available for a third year if academic upgrading is needed.
WHERE DO I GET STARTED?
By phone: |
People can call the Employment Ontario hotline at 1-800-387-5656 for information and referral to an Employment Ontario assessment centre. Interpretation services are available for languages other than English and French, and the Deaf can dial 416-325-4084. |
Online: |
People can find assessment centres through ontario.ca/secondcareer, which provides information about Second Career and where to go for help. |
In person: |
The Employment Ontario network of 1,200 service providers can direct individuals to the nearly 150 assessment centres providing access to Second Career. |
WHAT HAPPENS AT AN ASSESSMENT CENTRE?
People looking for work often have more job-ready skills than they realize.
Employment Ontario counsellors work with clients to identify their skills, experience and education. Counsellors will ask clients about their career goals and interests to help determine which program or service best suits the individual's needs.
Through Employment Ontario, clients can access a range of programs and services including academic upgrading, placements to develop on-the-job experience, wage subsidies, financial assistance and planning to help start a business.
Working with the client, the counsellor will prepare an individualized Return to Work Action Plan. Counsellors provide ongoing advice and case management to help clients achieve their goals.
EXAMPLES OF HOW SECOND CAREER CAN HELP PEOPLE
A forestry worker moves to a new job in mining:
A manufacturing worker successfully moves to a skilled-trades job:
An assembly worker successfully studies to be a medical lab technician: