Second Career provides laid-off workers with skills training to help them find jobs in high-demand occupations in Ontario.

Second Career is a cost-sharing grant provided on the basis of need, so you may be asked to contribute what you can to your training or education.

Second Career provides up to $28,000 for 

• tuition
• books
• other instruction costs such as manuals or workbooks
• transportation
• a basic living allowance

Additional support may be available to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities, dependent care, costs of living away from home and academic upgrading.

Is Second Career right for me?

You can apply to Second Career if you:

• are laid off or have been laid off since January 2005
• are unemployed or working an interim job
• are choosing to retrain for a career that is in demand

Second Career provides help to laid-off workers in need who will benefit most from training to find work. Several factors are considered when figuring out who will receive funding. We will help applicants based on their:

• Active job search
• Length of unemployment
• Education background
• Work history
• Labour market prospects
• Training request
• Experience and occupational skills 
 

What will I be asked to contribute?

Your contribution to retraining will depend on your financial situation and cost of training.

Second Career takes into consideration the cost for:

• tuition
• accommodation
• living away from home allowance (if applicable)
• food
• phone, internet charges
• course and incremental costs (e.g. ancillary fees, books, etc.)
• heat and hydro
• transportation
• dependent care
• disability supports (if applicable)

Participants may be required to contribute towards the cost of training. Your actual contribution to retraining will be determined by the ministry. There are limits to the amount the ministry will provide for dependent care, accommodation and other factors, such as tuition.

Staff at a Second Career assessment office can help.