Searching for Self-employment / Entrepreneurship

Comprehensive employment and job search services

• assessment of skills, interests and experience
• job search strategies, including resume preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• on-the-job training, work experience, help in maintaining employment as well as information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario
Skills training and financial support for laid off workers

• training program must demonstrate good job prospects
• financial support based on need, may include tuition, instructional costs, books, transportation and/or a basic living allowance

Services for employers

• help in identifying human resource skills requirements, matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

• financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Youth Job Connection

• paid pre-employment training services
• job matching, paid job placements with placement supports for participants and hiring incentives for employers
• mentorship, education and work transition supports

Youth Job Connection Summer

• summer job opportunities and part-time job placements during the year

Employment resources and coaching to find sustainable employment in Ontario:

• assessment of skills, interests and abilities
• job search strategies and support, including resume development and interview preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment opportunities
• help in maintaining employment
• information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario -- skills training and financial support for laid-off workers

Services for employers -- help in identifying human resource skills requirements

• matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Employment services at this agency/location can be tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous people, Older workers, Francophones, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, Persons on Social Assistance, Businesses, Students, Women and Youth

Comprehensive employment and job search services

• assessment of skills, interests and experience
• job search strategies, including resume preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• on-the-job training, work experience, help in maintaining employment as well as information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario
Skills training and financial support for laid off workers

• training program must demonstrate good job prospects
• financial support based on need, may include tuition, instructional costs, books, transportation and/or a basic living allowance

Services for employers

• help in identifying human resource skills requirements, matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

• financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Youth Job Connection

• paid pre-employment training services
• job matching, paid job placements with placement supports for participants and hiring incentives for employers
• mentorship, education and work transition supports

Youth Job Connection Summer

• summer job opportunities and part-time job placements during the year

Business consulting program

• free business advice
• counselling
• guidance

Investment program

• loans
• business counselling
• workshops for business owners

Free business advice

• workshops and commercial financing to entrepreneurs and those looking to start a business in the Frontenac Townships
• provides support to community initiatives
• business planning assistance to community organizations

Community group dedicated to the promotion of life in Verona

Sponsors special events and raises funds for various annual projects such as :

• Verona Car Show
• Village Beautification
• Movies in the Park
• Free Family Skate
• Christmas in the Village
• Christmas for Kids
• Remembrance Day Ceremony
• free Christmas Dinner Celebration

Comprehensive employment and job search services

• assessment of skills, interests and experience
• job search strategies, including resume preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• on-the-job training, work experience, help in maintaining employment as well as information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario

• skills training and financial support for laid-off workers
• help in identifying human resource skills requirements, matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention
• financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Services for employers

• help in identifying human resource skills requirements, matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

• financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

COVID19 Staff can be reached by phone email


Venture13 brings together early-stage entrepreneurs with innovation partners to connect, empower and accelerate new ventures. It is a place and a pathway for business growth synchronized with economic development and diversification.

• Offers co-working space for registered start-up companies
• professionals offer mentorship, guidance and one-on-one support
• Meeting and conference space for use by the general public
• Facilities include: the V13 VentureZone, MakerLab and Innovation Commons
• A partnership between Town of Cobourg, Community Futures Development Corporation, and Cobourg Police Services

Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation is an independent business development corporation dedicated to providing financing and strategy for entrepreneurs.

• Member of the CVCA (Canada's Venture Capital and Private Equity Association), governed by a volunteer board of directors, and staffed with business professionals delivering an array of entrepreneurial development and finance programs.
• Offering the following services:
  • Community Economic Development
  • Business Counselling
  • The Northumberland CFDC Investment Fund providing loans of up to $250,000 to new and small businesses in Northumberland County
  • thriveFORWARD innovation funding for Start-ups ($25K) and SMEs ($100K) in southern Ontario
  • $15K DELIA microloans for women-owned businesses across Canada
  • StrikeUP Canada digital conference for women entrepreneurs
  • V13 Policetech Accelerator joint initiative with the Cobourg Police Service
  • The Collaborative Economic Development Projects (CEDP) contributing to the successful development of business/job opportunities and prosperous communities that demonstrate benefits to multiple communities and promote broad-based collaborative economic development leading to a competitive and diversified economy
• Please refer to the company website for full program descriptions.

Financial services

• terms loans
• subordinate financing
• venture capital

Consulting services:

• business planning
• financial planning
• marketing research
• International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standards
• human resources
• technology and innovation
• business transition

Bank devoted to entrepreneurs

• promotes Canadian entrepreneurship
• focus on small and medium-sized businesses
• financing and advisory services
• offers equity, venture capita, flexible growth, and transition capital solutions

COVID-19 Response
Contact for service. Until further notice - remote/digital services available only.

Regular Service
Employment resources and coaching to find sustainable employment in Ontario

• assessment of skills, interests and abilities
• job search strategies and support, including resume development and interview preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment opportunities
• help in maintaining employment
• information and referral to other employment and community services

Services at this site can be tailored to meet the needs of individual client groups including:
Indigenous peoples, Older workers, Persons with disabilities, Persons on social assistance, Immigrants/newcomers, Francophones, Students, Youth and Women

Better Jobs Ontario -- skills training and financial support for laid-off workers

Services for employers -- help in identifying human resource skills requirements

• matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant -- financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees

• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Satellite offices located in

• Roseneath -- 9059 County Road 45, Roseneath, Ontario K0K 2X0 (Alnwick Civic Centre). Hours of Operation: Wednesday 1pm to 4 pm
• Colborne -- 6 King Street, Colborne, Ontario K0K 1S0 (Cramahe Public Library). Hours of Operation: Thursday 1 pm-4 pm.

Providing information, support, and development services to new and existing small businesses and entrepreneurs.

• Free consultations, business and marketing plans, information resources, professional referrals, guidance on licenses and permits, small micro grants (as available)
• Business Name Registration
• Educational seminars and workshops, networking opportunities
• Business Success Program (coaching), youth entrepreneurship programs (Summer Company, Starter Company)

Comprehensive employment and job search services

• assessment of skills, interests and experience
• job search strategies, including resume preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• on-the-job training, work experience, help in maintaining employment as well as information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario
Skills training and financial support for laid off workers

• training program must demonstrate good job prospects
• financial support based on need, may include tuition, instructional costs, books, transportation and/or a basic living allowance

Services for employers

• help in identifying human resource skills requirements, matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

• financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Youth Job Connection

• paid pre-employment training services
• job matching, paid job placements with placement supports for participants and hiring incentives for employers
• mentorship, education and work transition supports

Youth Job Connection Summer

• summer job opportunities and part-time job placements during the year

COVID-19 Response

• Office open with limited capacity
• clients can apply for critical services online
• personal service support for EI and pension applications are available through e-service online and on mobile phones

Regular Service
One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services

• Labour market information
• Information and referral on Employment Insurance, Social Insurance Numbers, Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Veterans benefits, passports (see separate entries for program details), Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Canada Education Savings Grant and others

For details on all federal and provincial benefits see Canada Benefits directory - www.canadabenefits.gc.ca.

Business counselling and assistance with investment and exporting for manufacturers

• counselling on other government agency programs also available

Federal government office

• provides specialized and personalized business and financial services and products to farming operations
• including family farms, and to those businesses in rural Canada
• including small and medium sized businesses, that are businesses related to farming

Affordable consulting services offered by third and fourth year business students
​
Topics such as:

• product and service marketing
• business planning
• feasibility studies
• financial planning
• market research

Comprehensive employment and job search services

• assessment of skills, interests and experience
• job search strategies, including resume preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• on-the-job training, work experience
• help in maintaining employment
• information and referral to other employment and community services

Services for employers

• help in identifying human resource skills requirements
• matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Youth Job Connection

• paid pre-employment training
• job matching
• paid job placements with placement supports for participants and hiring incentives for employers
• mentorship
• education and work transitions supports

Youth Job Connection Summer

• summer job opportunities and part-time job placements during the year

Canada-Ontario Job Grant

• financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Comprehensive employment and job search services

• assessment of skills, interests and experience
• job search strategies, including resume preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
• on-the-job training, work experience
• help in maintaining employment
• information and referral to other employment and community services

Better Jobs Ontario:
Skills training and financial support for laid off workers

• training program must demonstrate good job prospects
• financial support based on need, may include tuition, instructional costs, books, transportation and/or a basic living allowance

Services for employers:

• help in identifying human resource skills requirements
• matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant:

• financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Youth Job Connection:

• paid pre-employment training
• job matching
• paid job placements with placement supports for participants and hiring incentives for employers
• mentorship
• education and work transitions supports

Youth Job Connection Summer:

• summer job opportunities and part-time job placements during the year

COVID-19 Response
Services offered virtually and in person by appointment. Staff available by phone or email and in person by appointment.

Regular Service
Employment resources and coaching to find sustainable employment in Ontario:

• assessment of skills, interests and abilities
• job search strategies and support, including resume development and interview preparation
• information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment opportunities
• help in maintaining employment
• information and referral to other employment and community services

Employment services at this agency/location can be tailored to meet the needs of: Indigenous people, Older workers, Francophones, Immigrants/Newcomers, Persons with Disabilities, Persons on Social Assistance, Businesses, Students, Women and Youth

Better Jobs Ontario -- skills training and financial support for laid-off workers

Services for employers -- help in identifying human resource skills requirements

• matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
• support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention

Canada-Ontario Job Grant -- financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees

• available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees

Services and programs to assist small to medium size enterprises/firms who are innovative, growth oriented, and Ontario based.

COVID-19 Response
Most in person Service Canada Centres are open to the public, to find out if your local Service Canada office is open please visit www.canada.ca. Clients can apply for critical services online. Personal service support for EI and pension applications are available through e-service online and on mobile phones. Many online services available at Canada.ca/service-canada-home. For assistance accessing services, complete online request at Canada.ca/service-canada-e-service.

Regular Service
One-stop service delivery for a wide range of federal programs and services.

Internet access and assistance locating and applying for government programs including:

• Employment Insurance
• Social Insurance Numbers
• Canada Pension Plan
• Old Age Security and passports (see separate entries for program details)
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Canada Education Savings Grant and others

Student/youth employment services available May-August through Service Canada Centres for Youth -- see separate entry

Community-based not-for-profit connects businesses to loans provided through federal funding.

• Aims to generate employment opportunities in the City and County of Peterborough.
• Services for small businesses include flexible loan programs, business development grants and business counselling services.