Second Career is an Ontario government initiative that offers skills-training and financial support for eligible laid-off workers, helping them find jobs in high-demand occupations in Ontario.
The Ontario government is making it easier for laid-off workers to access the Second Career program. If you were laid-off in one of the sectors most impacted by COVID-19 since March 1, 2020, you may benefit from these changes.
As a start, you qualify for Second Career if:
If you’re receiving Employment Insurance (EI), or have in the past, you can still apply.
When preparing your application, you are required to show:
You may qualify for the Second Career Fast Track program if:
You may qualify for up to $28,000.00 for costs including:
What You Pay Into Second Career
When you apply to Second Career, you have to show the costs to be covered during training.
You may have to pay part of these costs yourself. The amount you’ll have to pay is based on several things, starting with your gross (before tax) household income.
The Second Career 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.
People who want to attend training longer than one year can apply to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) for a mix of grants and loans to help them pay for their postsecondary education.
To apply to Second Career, work with Humber's Community Employment Services where our team of Employment Advisors can help you decide if this program is right for you – and, if it is, help you gather the information needed to support your application and assist you in completing your application.
For additional information on Second Career options visit the Employment Ontario website.
These Employment Ontario services are funded in part by the Government of Canada.