Searching for Self-employment / Entrepreneurship

Provides information and assistance regarding:
* business development
* strategic partnerships
* industrial/commercial development
* locating new businesses

• 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

Employment Services are also available in Milton and Oakville

Services include one-on-one job search coaching, workshops, settlement services, academic upgrading and funded and fee-based pre-apprenticeship skilled trades programs
* collaborate with employers, providing free professional recruitment with access to pre-screened candidates, financial wage and training incentives and customized skilled trades training

For more information see:
* Services for Employers
* Skilled Trades Training Programs
* Employment Services
* LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) and Immigrant Services
* Doorways - Literacy and Basic Skills

Many of these programs and services are available at multiple locations in Halton Region

A federal Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada and mandated as Canada's business development bank * mission is to help create and develop strong Canadian businesses through financing, consulting services and securitization, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises

Supports entrepreneurs in all industries and at all stages of development from more than 100 business centres across Canada and online at bdc.ca

Major services include:
Financing:
Term loans such as realty and equipment loans, working capital loans, start up loans

Consulting:
Expert advice to help businesses be more competitive * a national network of consultants who can help businesses solve problems, improve performance and help achieve the most ambitious goals

BDC Capital:
Offers innovative solutions with terms and conditions tailored to meet the unique needs of entrepreneurs and innovators looking to raise capital for their growth and transition projects

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

Volunteer members are business and professional people who act as advisors in a number of business areas including:

• new ventures
• operations
• management
• services
• finance
• export
• manufacturing
• product management
• engineering
• marketing and sales
• advising established and start-up small businesses
• reviewing and evaluating business plans

Consultations are available at Oakville Chamber of Commerce office, The Halton Industry Education Council office in Burlington, and Hamilton Business Economic Development Centre

• online advisory meetings can be arranged

Services altered in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Office location currently closed to public due to COVID-19. Services are being offered virtually and in-person services are provided by appointment as required. Please call 905-825-6000 ext. 2777 for more information.

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• 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 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

Virtual Employment & Wellness Program

• addiction and mental health program offers 16 weeks of counselling, skill development and job placement opportunities to help you obtain & maintain a job
• complete an online referral at Employment Programs and Supports

Anchored by co-location partners Haltech Regional Innovation Centre and Angel One Investor Network
* provides tech companies (both new and growing) with access to space, resources, programming and mentorship through a growing partnership network and by creating an environment focused on generating opportunities for networking and growth

Offers employment support for women across Southern Ontario. Services include:

• one on one coaching
• business plan training
• mentoring
• digital support services

Provides training, job placement programs, and other services for people with disabilities.

Employment resources and coaching to help people with disabilities to find sustainable employment in Ontario:

• comprehensive employment and job search services
• assessment of skills, interests and abilities
• match candidates and employers and provide retention supports
• 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

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

Employment resources and coaching to help people with disabilities to find sustainable employment in Ontario:

• assessment of skills, interests and abilities
• match candidates and employers and provide retention supports
• 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 resources and coaching to help people with disabilities to find sustainable employment in Ontario:

• assessment of skills, interests and abilities
• match candidates and employers and provide retention supports
• 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

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

Program provides hands-on business training and mentoring - together with awards of up to $3,000 - to help young people start up and run their own summer business. Program is coordinated and delivered at the community level through a network of Small Business Enterprise Centres and other program providers supported by the government.

Provides information and tools to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Services include:

• free resources and business advice
• examination and coaching on the business plan
• workshops and seminars
• information about grants and financial programs

Employment resources and coaching to help people with disabilities to find sustainable employment in Ontario:

• assessment of skills, interests and abilities
• match candidates and employers and provide retention supports
• 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

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

A hub of resources and support for local small to medium-sized businesses that are looking to scale up, export and go global

• find content regarding a range of services offered, that will help you navigate the world of exporting

Consultation services:

• One-on-one
• Expert on Demand

Referrals:

• to a network of government ministries, agencies, and service providers providing export-related information

Resources

• Programs
• Funding Opportunities
• Exporting Information
• Events, Webinars & Online Learning
• Tools & Market Research
• Toolbox

As part of a province-wide youth entrepreneurship strategy, the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade offers Summer Company delivered by Halton Region Small Business Centre

• provides hands-on business training and mentoring if your application is accepted with awards of up to $3,000 (up to $1,500 for start-up costs, and up to $1,500 after successful completion of the program)
• helps enterprising students start and run their own summer business and develop entrepreneurial skills and experience
• must be between the ages of 15 and 29, returning to school in the fall of 2023 (application deadline: May 19, 2023)
• business plans for program via online applications only
• competitive program with limited spaces that fill up quickly

Due to COVID-19, the Halton Small Business Centre's resource area at 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville is closed. All services and programs are being offered virtually.

Services include:

Free consultations with business consultants

• business plans
• marketing and financial planning
• export and import planning

Business start-up information including

• business name registration sole or partnerships
• start-up checklists

Access to current resource materials including

• book lending library
• directories
• market research
• trade indexes
• information on patents, copyrights and trademarks
• ongoing business workshops and seminars, networking and professional development
• entrepreneurship training and grant programs
• free self-serve Internet access for entrepreneurs to register their business, update their business information or conduct business research

Consultant On Site

• a service for local business owners and entrepreneurs
• a free one hour consultation with a business consultant to get help with research, marketing plans and government regulations
• offered at four locations in Halton, including Georgetown and Milton
• call the Business Centre to book

Employment resources and coaching to help people with disabilities to find sustainable employment in Ontario:

• assessment of skills, interests and abilities
• match candidates and employers and provide retention supports
• 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

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

Employment resources and coaching to help people with disabilities to find sustainable employment in Ontario:

• comprehensive employment and job search services
• assessment of skills, interests and abilities
• match candidates and employers and provide retention supports
• 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

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

Employment resources and coaching to help people with disabilities to find sustainable employment in Ontario:

• assessment of skills, interests and abilities
• match candidates and employers and provide retention supports
• 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

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