Searching for Self-employment / Entrepreneurship

A community directed, not-for-profit corporation leading Sarnia Lambton in its approach to workforce development and local labor market planning * operating as part of Workforce Planning Ontario mandated through the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to conduct and disseminate local labour market research and engage community stakeholders in a planning process that supports local solutions to local issues.

COVID-19 - The office is currently closed to the general public. Call for an appointment.

Helps new and existing businesses to be more successful, thereby, creating permanent jobs by providing term loans to a maximum of $300,000 at a rate of prime plus 2-7%, free business consulting and counselling services. Helps Community Economic Development in: business, culture and infrastructure.

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 (formerly Second Career Program)

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

Offers $3000 grants and mentoring to students who establish and run their own company over the summer.

A free information and advisory service for anyone interested in starting their own business and for existing small business operators. A Advisor will assist with preparation of business plans as well as provide advice and direction on locating additional information/resources to support business development/growth.

Funding opportunities programs are available for young people 15-29 who are returning to school through the Summer Company Program.

Attracting new industry and investment; attracting new residents; retaining and growing the businesses and industries already making Sarnia-Lambton home - public and private sector collaboration with business leaders, educational institutions and municipal government; coordinating community-based economic-development initiatives

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

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 transitions supports

Youth Job Connection Summer

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

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

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 transitions supports

Youth Job Connection Summer - Summer job opportunities and part-time job placements during the year

Visiting offices located in Dorchester, Glencoe, Lucan, and Parkhill

Provides solutions to the challenges and obstacles small business owners and entrepreneurs face, from start-up to expansion. Assists all types of companies from home based, retail, trades, service, agri-business to manufacturing.

Provides the following to small business and/or entrepreneurs:

• loans
• growth financing
• business development
• business plan assistance
• market research assistance
• specialized seminars and training
• cashflow forecasting
• resource centre with books, videos and boardrooms
• referrals to bookkeeping services

Works in partnership with business, all levels of government and the community at large to actively promote, encourage and facilitate community and economic development in Chatham-Kent.

Provides support to start-up and small enterprises during their initial years of development and operation.

Services include:

• Free and confidential consultations helping with management, marketing, technology and financing
• Business plan reviews
• Current information - brochures, articles, directories
• Guidance on licenses, permits and registrations
• Learning and networking opportunities
• Importing and exporting information
• Information on patenting, copyrighting or trade-marking your original idea
• Internet and computer access for business research and planning
• Access to consulting services and information

Operates in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Economic Development and Trade.

Promotes Chatham-Kent as a location for business, industry and tourism destinations * Assists to strengthen local economies and business infrastructure Business Attraction Services:

• Communicates with senior national and international business leaders and Provincial and Federal Government decision-makers to identify Chatham-Kent as a potential location for new investment
• Maintains relationships and audiences with decision makers at the Provincial level in sectors such as automotive, finance, education, health care and information technology Business Retention and Expansion Services: Gathers community intelligence in support of local business' specific issues and acts as a spokesperson on local issues and related business matters Entrepreneurial Services:
• Provides business start-up support to new entrepreneurs in the communities of Chatham-Kent
• Provides the local agricultural community with business planning and information relative to sector activities in the communities of Chatham-Kent
• Promotes opportunities and provides support to the existing service and commercial sectors in the communities of Chatham-Kent

Chatham-Kent and Essex County contact for the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Public Access point OMAFRA program & technical materials; information & application for OMAFRA funding programs; contact point for local agricultural issues

Key Contacts

• AGRICORP Customer Action Centre: 1-888-247-4999
• OFIDP (Ontario Farm Income Disaster Program): 1-877-838-5144
• Farm Business Registration: 1-800-469-2285
• Foodland Ontario: 519-826-3643

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 Program (previously Second Career Program) - 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

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 transitions supports

Youth Job Connection Summer - Summer job opportunities and part-time job placements during the year

A committee of council set up to assist with the beautification of the business districts, attracting business to the area, supporting events that will attract business and tourists to the area and supporting our membership through development workshops.

Supports all sectors of agriculture with financial solutions and alliance partnerships. Profits are reinvested in agriculture, developing products and services to benefit the industry.

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

Services for employers - help in identifying human resource skills requirements, matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience, and 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

Reach for Success program is available to support youth ages 15-30, who are not currently in full-time education to gain the skills required to experience success in the workplace. Program includes: 120 hours of paid Online Job Readiness Workshops, Virtual Employment Counselling Support, Opportunity to complete training in WHMIS, Safe Food Handling and Smart Serve, an 8 week Paid Work Placement, and a $750 Bonus for individuals who complete all components of the program

Skills Upgrading program helps upgrade skills for employment, apprenticeship or college, get ready for high school credits, and learn new skills to improve well-being. In the program, participants will work on lessons at their own pace, with the help of a Literacy Practitioner. Lessons are specific to participant goals and will build confidence with reading, writing, math, digital technology, and workplace essential skills

The Centre for Employment & Learning:

• Academic upgrading
• Apprenticeship
• Career counselling
• Employer staffing assistance
• Internationally trained professionals
• Newcomer employment programs
• Summer employment
• Youth employment

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 their human resource skill requirements; matching of position/workplace needs to participants' 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

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

Facilitates the process of starting, growing and locating a business in the region.

Services include:

• Advice and consultation
• Business plan consultation
• Marketing plan consultation
• One-on-One start-up advice
• Small business seminars
• provides ONLY advice and consultation services for small businesses and entrepreneurs