31 Oct What is Better Jobs Ontario?
Under the current circumstances post-pandemic, amid a war, and the continuing elevation of gas prices – many people are struggling to pay for their lives. One of the difficulties many Canadians have been facing is finding and maintaining a job.
Better Jobs Ontario is an initiative that helps employees enhance their skills to secure a steady job. Better Jobs Ontario, introduced April 29, 2022, is a restructuring of Second Career but with the specific focus to guarantee acceptable employment for workers who have been struggling to find a dependable job.
To qualify for this program, the employee must have been laid-off and not working, only engaging in temporary work to pay for necessary expenses, not working for a period of at least six months, or is currently living in a low-income household. A low-income household is when all incomes generated in one home (whether that be one individual, partners, etc.) are below the average household income in Ontario. In 2022, the average household income is approximately $52,600. Further, if you are currently collecting Employment Insurance, Ontario Works, or Ontario Disability Support; you may still be eligible to register for this program.
For those unemployed due to COVID-19, there is a potential opportunity to receive help sooner. If you are an employee who was laid-off on or following March 1, 2020, with (at most) a high school degree, as a worker most affected by the pandemic, or are interested in a job that is currently essential for a local or currently prioritized area; you could qualify to get quicker help.
What does the program offer?
Better Jobs Ontario gives these employees a maximum of 52 weeks of training and funds to begin the search for highly requested work among employers.
The funding is available for costs up to $28,000 and the potential for supplementary costs if necessary. Certain costs this program will cover are school expenses, living expenses like groceries and rent up to $500 each month, transportation costs like gas or public transportation charges. The auxiliary funding that could be provided is disability care, literacy training, assistance with childcare etc.
If you have questions about whether you could be eligible for this program or need guidance on how to respond to a recent dismissal, please contact KCY at LAW by filling in an online consultation request or contact us by phone at 905-639-0999 to book your consultation today.