Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career)
$ 35,000
$28,000 (≤1 year programs) or $35,000 (>1 year, ≤2 year programs)
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Government of Ontario — Employment Ontario · Provincial
Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career)
Reviewed by G Paul · verified May 1, 2026
$35K
Total value
About this award
Up to $28,000 (1-year programs) or $35,000 (2-year programs) for unemployed and underemployed Ontarians retraining for in-demand jobs. Covers tuition, books, transportation, dependent care, and basic living allowance. Includes micro-credential programs. Successor to Second Career.
Better Jobs Ontario is the Province of Ontario's flagship retraining grant for unemployed and underemployed workers — the successor to the prior Second Career program with broader eligibility and higher funding. The program funds skills training for in-demand jobs and provides financial support during training: up to $28,000 for programs of 1 year or less in duration, and up to $35,000 for programs that are more than 1 year and up to 2 years. Better Jobs Ontario explicitly funds two distinct training durations: short-term programs of 52 weeks or less (including micro-credential programs — making this a key bridge for IT certifications, healthcare bridging programs, and other rapid-deploy training) AND longer-duration programs of up to 2 years (including college diplomas and applied-degree programs). The funding can cover tuition, mandatory fees, books and supplies, transportation, dependent care during training, and a basic living allowance for the duration of the program. Better Jobs Ontario operates through Employment Ontario service-delivery partners — applicants don't apply directly to the province; they go through a network of community-based agencies, colleges, and employment counsellors who do the intake assessment, build the training plan, and submit it to Better Jobs Ontario for approval.
Can you get it?
- Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident or Protected Person — citizenship requirement
- Trades, Professional, Certificate — study level
- Resident of ON — provincial eligibility
How to apply
Review eligibility and gather your documents~1 hour
Read the official award page end-to-end. Confirm you meet every requirement before you start.
Collect reference letters2 weeks
Give your referees at least two weeks' notice and share your résumé.
Submit before the posted deadline~1 hour
Check the official source for the current deadline: save a copy and submit at least 24 hours early.
More details
Strategy
Find your nearest Employment Ontario service provider and book an intake interview — the program intake is the gateway, not the website.
Strategy
The intake counsellor will help you assess whether your target training is on the in-demand list, model what the funding covers in your specific case, and submit the application package.
Strategy
The micro-credential funding pathway is under-utilised — if you are pursuing an AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud, or industry certification, this is the program you want.
Plan around the basic living allowance
it's modest and may not fully replace pre-layoff income, so combine with EI benefits if you're eligible.
Strategy
The application path is different from federal Canada Apprentice Loan + EI; for Ontario residents in retraining, Better Jobs Ontario is the primary stack.
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How do I apply?
Click the Start application button above: it opens the official application page in a new tab.
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When is the deadline?
The provider has not posted a firm deadline. Check the official source before applying.
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Can international students apply?
Eligibility is limited to: Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, Protected Person.
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