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- new apprentices who have arranged a sponsoring employer or who have prior education and related work experience
- also offers consultation to sponsoring employers
Apprenticeship Scholarship
- $1,000 scholarship upon completion of academic upgrading, for registered apprentices younger than 25 years who left school before completing the necessary academic requirements for registering in a trade, who are committed to achieving the necessary academic requirements within one year, and who demonstrate an interest in the skilled trades
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
- school-to-work transition program offered through Ontario secondary schools
- students earn cooperative education credits in grades 11 and 12 through work placements in skilled trades
- interested students full-time high school students 16 years and older entering Grade 11 should contact their guidance counsellor, co-op education teacher or the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Coordinator for the local school board or contact the local Apprenticeship Office
Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program
- job skill development and trade readiness for unemployed individuals wanting careers in skilled trades
- programs are at various community locations, and up to 52 weeks long including a minimum 8-12 week work placement
- free, with costs covered for tuition, textbooks, safety equipment and tools
This office is not an exam centre
An innovative not-for-profit social enterprise focusing on partnership, mentorship and workforce development
- work to build stronger connections between educators, employers and the students who will make up our future workforce
- deliver an interactive and informative Career Awareness Program, facilitate meaningful experiential learning opportunities, host inspiring community events, and manage multiple online communities with a focus on workforce development
Major programs and services:
ApprenticeSearch.com:
Online matching service that connects job seekers and employers in the skilled trades
- supports a variety of job seekers, including 0-year to 4th year apprentices, and also 'non-apprentices', such as individuals looking for trades experiences and general labourer roles
- Job Coaches help ready candidates for their next role, and provide candidates with necessary basic certifications, PPE and employment skills training
- Job Developers provide services to the employers who are hiring, including screening/shorting listing candidates and intentional matching for posted roles on our site
Career Development Lab:
Career Centre provides programs and services that support students as they prepare to transition into high school, allowing them to imagine a post-secondary pathway that will set them up for future success
- interactive and student-driven Career Awareness Program provides students with access to current information on a wide range of career options for a variety of learners
- complements and extends career/life planning beyond the classroom and is designed to support students as they prepare to make the transition to secondary school
Virtual Career Lab:
Lab icludes activities, resources, and relevant information in order to make informed and inspired career decisions
- modelled after the in house Career Awareness Programming, which has been serving students across Halton for almost three decades.
Women as Caeer Coaches:
An evening event that brings together young women from the community with adult mentors from all pathways
- over dinner, youth and mentors have the opportunity to engage in informal mentorship conversations, listen to a line-up of inspiring spotlight speakers, and participate in a panel discussion on career pathways
Skilled Trades Training Programs:
* designed to give clients the skills and experience they need to begin a career in the Skilled Trades
* a combination of in-class and hands-on shop floor training with a focus on developing both technical skills and critical employability skills
* programs are run in a fully equipped facility and are designed to get clients into the workforce fast
* all programs include Job Search Assistance
Programs include:
* Ontario Adult Apprenticeship Program
* Get in Gear
* Home Renovation for Newcomers
* Industrial Millwright Mechanic & Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship Program For Youth
* Women in Skilled Trades (WIST): Enhanced General Carpentry
* 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
- new apprentices who have arranged a sponsoring employer or who have prior education and related work experience
- also offers consultation to sponsoring employers
Apprenticeship Scholarship
- $1,000 scholarship upon completion of academic upgrading, for registered apprentices younger than 25 years who left school before completing the necessary academic requirements for registering in a trade, who are committed to achieving the necessary academic requirements within one year, and who demonstrate an interest in the skilled trades
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
- school-to-work transition program offered through Ontario secondary schools
- students earn cooperative education credits in grades 11 and 12 through work placements in skilled trades
- interested students full-time high school students 16 years and older entering Grade 11 should contact their guidance counsellor, co-op education teacher or the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Coordinator for the local school board or contact the local Apprenticeship Office
- job skill development and trade readiness for unemployed individuals wanting careers in skilled trades
- programs are at various community locations, and up to 52 weeks long including a minimum 8-12 week work placement
- free, with costs covered for tuition, textbooks, safety equipment and tools
This office is an exam centre
School-to-work transition program offered through Ontario secondary schools
- students earn cooperative education credits through cooperative education work placements in skilled trades
School-to-work transition program offered through Ontario secondary schools
- students earn cooperative education credits through cooperative education work placements in skilled trades
with classroom training
* the Ontario government pays for almost 85% of classroom training, supports apprentices with grants and some apprentices are eligible for EI grants during classroom training
* approximately 80% of the training happens on-the-job with an employer and the other 20% is completed in school over two 12-week winter semesters
* once registered, apprentices typically take between 4-6 years to complete their training and certification requirements
The Benefits:
* Financial Incentives throughout the process; apprentices are eligible for over $4,000 in grants
* Hands on training that will develop a deeper knowledge of the profession
* Cost effective, the Ministry covers 85% of the in-class training
* Upon completion the Apprentice will obtain a Red Seal Journey-person Class designation (eligible to practice the trade across Canada)
Your Commitment:
* Training with an employer for over 5,400 hours (3-5 years)
* Completing a 12-week (basic) in-class training session at a training provider (Tuition fee applies)
* Completing a 12-week (advanced) in-class training session at a training provider (Tuition fee applies)
* Completing a skills sign-off Training Standard Book of required skills on-the-job with your employer
* Completing a Certificate of Qualification Exam at the end of the apprenticeship
ADULT LITERACY & BASIC EDUCATION
Reading, writing, speaking, communication, computation and/or problem solving skills:
* for adults who cannot read or write at a functional level) see Adult Literacy Programs here
* to strengthen functional skills in these areas see Adult Basic Education programs here
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
* to complete at locations in Halton, see here
PREPARING & TRAINING FOR THE WORKFORCE
Prevocational Training (for people with disabilities, including mental health issues)
Instruction and/or counselling to develop:
* physical and emotional tolerance for work demands and pressures
* personal-social behaviours
* basic manual, academic and communications skills needed to acquire basic job skills
* see Prevocational Training programs here
Career Awareness and Counselling
* Career Awareness (provides information and data about various industries and professions): see here
* Career Counselling (provides information and guidance in evaluating aptitude, abilities and interests, to choose a vocation or career and select the type of training): see here
Vocational Assessment
Tests skills, abilities, interests, personality traits and other attributes for success in different occupational areas or specific positions
* may include programs that allow people to try out jobs for short periods of time to see if there's a 'fit' and, for people with disabilities, determine what supports might be needed to succeed if hired.
* for programs see here
Job Training
* Vocational Education, see here
* On the Job Training, see here
* Computer and Related Technology Classes, see here
Work Experience/Internship Programs
* Work Experience Programs, see here
* Internship Programs, see here
Apprenticeship
* Apprenticeship Preparation, see here
* Apprenticeship training, see here
Job training expense assistance
Financial assistance or loans to help people pay for tuition, books, living expenses, transportation, disability supports, assistance in caring for dependents etc.
* for programs see here
JOB SEARCH
Pre-job Guidance
Provides skills in preparing a resume, job application letters/questionnaires, answering job ads and taking employment tests, tips on appropriate dress, personal appearance and interview techniques, etc.)
* for programs see here
Comprehensive Job Assistance Centres
One-stop centres that may include job counselling, testing and assessment, pre-job guidance, job matching and referral, labour market and career information, information on financial aid for education and training, and referral for job training, transportation, child care, personal and financial counselling, etc.
* for programs see here
Specialized Job Assistance Centres:
Disability-related programs:
* Comprehensive Disability-related Programs, see here
* Supported Employment (job coach works side-by-side with client in workplace), see here
* Centre-based Employment (separate and supported work centres for those with disabilities), see here
Ex-offender Employment Programs, see here
Immigrant/refugee Employment Programs, see here
Indigenous Employment Programs, see here
Summer Employment Programs, see here
Vocational Rehabilitation (for people with disabilities, emotional problems or history of substance abuse), see here
Youth Employment Programs, see here
School-to-Apprenticeship transition program offered through Ontario secondary schools
- students earn cooperative education credits through cooperative education work placements in skilled trades
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Academic program
- Kindergarten to grade 12
- Day, night and credit classes
- After school programs, child care
- Adult education
- Alternate Schools program
- English as a Second Language (ESL), literacy and heritage language classes
- French immersion
- International Baccalaureate
- Dual Credit
- Specialist High Skills Major program
- Ontario Youth Apprenticeship program (OYAP)
- Online learning
- Special education
- English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Specialized Language Training (STL)
- participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by achev -- see separate entry
- Essential Skills Upgrading (Literacy and Basic Skills, LBS)
We Welcome the World -- orientation and assessment centres for elementary and secondary students new to Ontario or Canada, call 905-366-8791 to book an appointment
The centre primarily assists those who are out of work, and youth who are out of school to assess their skills and employment potential
- various programs assist job seekers with their job search activities and on the job training
Major Programs and Services:
Ontario Employment Services:
- an employment experience program
- candidates get the training and experience needed to find a job
- individual employment counselling
- job search techniques
- job placements (subsidized,unsubsidized and apprenticeship)
- educational upgrading
- career focusing
- for more information see separate listing here
Pre-Apprenticeship/Apprenticeship programs:
- candidates experience the trades through free on the job training
- program runs annually
- recruitment begins in January of each year pending funding
Resource Room:
- drop-in or by appointment
- self-directed access to information on careers
- training opportunities
- employment workshops
- job bank
- client phone for job search
Computer services:
Free of charge, available to those using for job search, training and education (including life-long learning)
- computers with Internet
- web-based e-mail
- Microsoft 2016 Word, Excel and PowerPoint
- USB drive/flashdrive/memory stick ports
- FAX (sending only)
- free printing (max. 20 pages per day)
- scanner
- some sites, such as game sites, are blocked
Employment & Upgrading Preparation program:
- assists adults with improving their reading and writing to enhance their employment skills
TTY Crisis Line: 1-800-567-5803
Toll Free: 1-866-522-2122
Toll Free: 1-866-522-2022
Visit Website
Financial assistance
- income support
- death benefit
- disability benefits
- health care benefits
- caregiver benefit
- prisoner of war compensation
- War Veterans Allowance
Assistance with the cost of home care services
Last Post Fund
Funeral and burial program, see separate listing
Health, Mental Health and Transition services
Medical, psychosocial, vocational rehabilitation, case management, career counselling and job search assistance, and long term care
VAC Assistance Service
24 hour crisis line and short-term problem solving with mental health professionals
Operational Stress Injury Social Support Program (OSISS)
Peer support for those affected by Operational Stress Injury and for their families
Veterans Housing Navigation Team, 416-869-3619 ext 276
Case management for homeless veterans, partnership with Good Shepherd Ministries (see separate listing)
Helmets to Hardhats
Apprenticeship opportunities in the building and construction trades
Funded by The Government of Ontario / Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
Office: 905-575-2545
Office: 905-575-1212 ext 5000
Visit Website
Note: Eligible participants will be paid an allowance equivalent to the prevailing Ontario Minimum Wage rate.
- Ontario Job Bank online database
- Ontario apprenticeships
- Summer jobs for high school, university, and college students
- Adult learning courses to prepare for new jobs, training, or further education
- Help for laid-off workers to pay living expenses and tuition for job training or postsecondary education
- Funding for employers to hire workers through Employment Ontario
- new apprentices who have arranged a sponsoring employer or who have prior education and related work experience
- also offers consultation to sponsoring employers
- $1,000 scholarship upon completion of academic upgrading, for registered apprentices younger than 25 years who left school before completing the necessary academic requirements for registering in a trade, who are committed to achieving the necessary academic requirements within one year, and who demonstrate an interest in the skilled trades
- school-to-work transition program offered through Ontario secondary schools
- students earn cooperative education credits in grades 11 and 12 through work placements in skilled trades
- interested students full-time high school students 16 years and older entering Grade 11 should contact their guidance counsellor, co-op education teacher or the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program Coordinator for the local school board or contact the local Apprenticeship Office
- job skill development and trade readiness for unemployed individuals wanting careers in skilled trades
- programs are at various community locations, and up to 52 weeks long including a minimum 8-12 week work placement
- free, with costs covered for tuition, textbooks, safety equipment and tools
- Electrician
- Millwright
- Plumber
- Metal Fabricator
- Automotive Mechanic
Successful participants will receive:
- Job readiness training
- Up to 16 weeks of in-school training
- 8-week work placement
Visit Website
The Women in Trades and Technology programs are taking the following cautionary steps:
- All in-person information and assessment sessions (for all Skilled Trades and IT programs) are canceled until further notice -- check website for updates
- The iOS and Android Mobile App and Azure Cloud Developer program next scheduled start date: Aug 22, 2022
- The Painter-Decorator Pre-Apprenticeship program next scheduled start date: May 9, 2022
- The Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Setter Pre-Apprenticeship program next scheduled start date: May 24, 2022
- Glazier Pre-Apprenticeship program next scheduled start date: May 9, 2022 -- check website for program details
- STAR 4-Women program next scheduled start date: June 6, 2022 -- check website for program details
- Cybersecurity Fundamentals Training Program next scheduled start date: June 6, 2022
- any changes to start dates will be confirmed
Pre-Apprenticeship Commercial/Residential Painter and Decorator Program
- full time program
- job skill development and trade readiness
- trade specific academic upgrading and in-school apprenticeship Level 1 training, including health and safety
- 8 week work placement following program completion
- training location: Finishing Trade Institute, 130 Toro Rd, Unit C, Toronto ON
Pre-apprenticeship Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Setter Program
- full time program
- job skill development and trade readiness
- trade specific academic upgrading and in-school apprenticeship Level 1 training, including health and safety
- 8 week work placement following program completion
- training location: Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Trade School Inc., 30 Capstan Gate, Units 4 & 5, Concord ON
iOS and Android Mobile Application Development Training Program
- for women and gender-diverse individuals with IT background and experience in Java or C++
- full time program
- hands-on classroom instruction
- exam followed by 8 week job placement opportunity
- may lead to certification as Android Developer
- training location: YWCA Toronto, Trades and Technology Programs, 222 Dixon Rd, Suite 207, Toronto ON
- program start date: Aug 23, 2021
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Training Program
- for women and gender-diverse individuals with IT background and 16 years or older
- 34-week intensive, hands-on job readiness training program to upgrade essential IT skills in areas of data communication fundamentals and cybersecurity
- online training with some in-class sessions
- successful students will earn Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certificate
- 8 week job placement following program completion
- training location: YWCA Toronto, Trades and Technology Programs, 222 Dixon Rd, Suite 207, Toronto ON
- program start date: Aug 23, 2021
STAR 4-Women Program
- for women and gender-diverse individuals 16 years and older
- minimum Grade 10 education completed
- resident of and able to work in Ontario
- must have a valid drivers' licence
- 8 week program to attain construction trades skills
- must be physically able to work in a variety of construction environments
- skilled trades assessment and academic upgrading (if applicable)
- labour market information about skilled trades
- health and safety training and certifications
- hands on experience, equipment and tools including work boots and safety equipment
- transportation support (restrictions apply)
- for women and gender-diverse individuals 16 years and older
- minimum Grade 10 education completed
- resident of and able to work in Ontario
- must have a valid drivers' licence
- 27 week intensive training program
- work tools, safety equipment, textbooks
- refresher math
- transportation supports (restrictions apply)
- physically able to work in a variety of construction work environments
- must possess hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity
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Pre-apprenticeship construction program
16-week paid training on-site and in-class to prepare for careers in construction trades
- essential skills (trades math, reading comprehension and soft skills training)
- trade skills (power tools, drywall, painting, carpentry, plumbing)
- health and safety
- core set of tools
- water retrofits, general labour, general contracting
Immigrant, Refugee and Settlement Hub@791 (IRS) -
programs and services to support the integration of newcomers, including employment
Mentoring for Change
for Permanent Residents, Convention refugees or live in caregivers
- specific level of language fluency required
- matches internationally trained professional newcomers with volunteer mentors
for Permanent Residents or Convention refugees wishing to start a business in Ontario
- specific level of language fluency required
- 10 week full time instructor-led training includes labour market research, business plan preparation, counselling and coaching, workshops and networking opportunities
for Permanent Residents, Convention refugees or live in caregivers
- specific level of language fluency required
- 2 week sessions include labour market information, job search strategies, resume and cover letter preparation, interview coaching
instructor-led and hands-on training in business, accounting and finance, information technology, project management, SAP (Systems, Applications and Products) training
- some classes held at other locations
call or check website for information on current programs and locations, eligibility requirements and registration dates
- includes employment preparation and work placement
for internationally trained electricians, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics, industrial millwrights, plumbers and welders
Job Board
online listing of positions available
- employers contact employers@skillsforchange.org to post a position
skills development, job search support, job fairs, networking
- call for details and locations
for anyone 16-29 years
- life skills, employment preparation, counselling and mentoring, earn volunteer hours
for youth 12-18 years in the Jane and Finch area
- mentorship, summer job training and placements with a focus on delivery of sport and recreation programs to other youth
- call for details
6 to 12 week program for youth who are current or former residents of the Jane and Finch area, or youth currently working or volunteering in the area for a minimum of 2 years
- participants will conduct research into systemic and structural barriers to post secondary education and training, and bring forward ideas and dialogue to engage youth and community stakeholders towards solutions
Information sessions and workshops for Food Handler training, Smart Serve, and Customer Service