Fleming College

A New Career, For Life

Better Jobs Ontario, formerly known as Second Career, is an Ontario government program that helps unemployed and underemployed workers train for new careers in growing areas of the economy.

The program provides up to $28,000 for assistance in paying for tuition, books and other instructional costs, transportation, childcare, and a basic living allowance. The program is a cost-sharing grant provided on the basis of need, so applicants may be asked to contribute to their training or education.

Better Jobs Ontario aims to help laid off workers rejoin the workforce quickly. It now supports training programs that take 52 weeks or less and includes micro-credential programs. With these recent changes, the program helps people who may face challenges finding stable employment such as gig workers, youth and people on social assistance. If you have been unemployed for six months or longer, and are part of a low-income household, you may benefit from these changes. 

Laid-Off Due To Covid-19?

While the Better Jobs Ontario program is open to unemployed jobseekers, a fast-track stream is available if you were laid-off because of COVID-19 and want to retrain for jobs in sectors that have potential for future employment. If your application meets all the following criteria, you will go through a faster approval process, giving you access to training sooner:

• You were laid-off on or after March 1, 2020.
• You have a high school education or less, you were laid-off from an occupation requiring no more than a high school education and job-specific training, such as food and beverage servers, flight attendants and retail salespersons.
• You were laid-off from an industry hit hard by the pandemic, such as hospitality and food services, transportation and warehousing or wholesale and retail trade.
• You want to train for a career in demand in a local community or provincial priority area.

Eligible Programs At Fleming

The following career-focused academic programs are eligible for Better Jobs Ontario funding:

• Arboriculture Co-op
• Blasting Techniques
• Culinary Skills
• Electrical Techniques
• Forestry Equipment Operator
• Heavy Equipment Operator
• Heavy Equipment Techniques
• Mechanical Techniques – Plumbing
• Sustainable Agriculture
• Urban Forestry
• Welding Techniques

How To Apply

You’ll work with your local Employment Service Provider (ESP) to apply for the Better Jobs Ontario program. Employment Services staff can answer your questions and determine whether you are eligible, and they can help guide you through the application process. You can find an ESP in your community here or view the full list below.

Why Choose Fleming

Fleming College has been providing high quality, career-focused educational programming for more than 50 years. Our certificates, diplomas and graduate certificates are widely recognized and valued by employers, and we are constantly developing and delivering new programs that reflect the regional and provincial job market.

Feeling unsure about returning to school? Our support services will help you succeed. From tutoring to counselling right through to job placement – we’ll make sure you have the tools to thrive in and out of the classroom.

We offer small class sizes, and our dedicated faculty have industry experience and expertise. Our unique learning environments and state-of-the-art labs and equipment will further prepare you for the career of your choice. Most of our programs include hands-on, experiential learning components, giving you the real-world skills and confidence to succeed in the workplace.

Employment Service Providers In Muskoka-Kawarthas

Peterborough: