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Questions and Answers
- What is the status of Second Career? Are you going to keep funding it?
Ontario's Second Career program is permanent and will continue to help laid-off workers train for new careers in high-demand fields.
As of June 8, Employment Ontario made changes to application guidelines that mean more laid-off Ontarians will be eligible for Second Career. Modifications have been made to the application guidelines for criteria including length of job search and unemployment, work history and skills. Talk to staff at an Employment Ontario assessment centre to see if Second Career is a good fit for you.
- Why isn't the Ontario government providing more support to help laid-off workers find training?
Ontario invests over $1 billion annually in Employment Ontario programs designed to help Ontarians looking for work.
We continue to work closely with laid-off workers through Employment Ontario services, such as:
- Ontario Job Creation Partnerships;
- The Rapid Re-Employment and Training Service;
- Job placement services, such as résumé writing and interview preparation; and
- Literacy and Basic Skills upgrading
The Employment Ontario network is helping more than one million Ontarians, including over 100,000 employers across Ontario.
The 2010 Speech from the Throne announced the five-year Open Ontario plan to create an Ontario even more open to new ideas, new people, new investment and new jobs.
- You planned on training 20,000 people over three years and you've hit the target in half the time. Is the money all gone?
Launched in June 2008, Second Career exceeded its three-year goal of helping 20,000 laid-off workers after only 16 months.
The program will continue to provide financial support for tuition, books, travel and other expenses to help workers participate in short- and long-term training programs.
- How have guidelines for Second Career been changed?
As of June 8, Employment Ontario made changes to application guidelines that mean more laid-off Ontarians will be eligible for Second Career. Modifications have been made to the application guidelines for criteria including length of job search and unemployment, work history and skills. Talk to staff at an Employment Ontario assessment centre to see if Second Career is a good fit for you.
- What do I need to do to prove the career I want to train for is in demand?
You will need to provide the ministry with proof such as job ads in your local newspaper or a letter from an employer that intends to hire. Your Employment Ontario assessment centre can advise you on how to best gather this information.
- Are Second Career participants finding new jobs after their training?
A survey conducted of Second Career students shows that 93 per cent of students have graduated, and over 61 per cent have found jobs within an average of three months.
- My course is supposed to start soon – should I go ahead and start?
No. Do not start a course unless you have written approval of support from the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in connection with Second Career.
If you have a question, contact your Employment Ontario assessment centre to discuss the status of your application.
- If my application for Second Career has been denied, can I appeal the decision?
Yes, you can request a review. You must send a letter requesting a review and address it to the Service Delivery Manager of the local Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities office that assessed your Second Career application. You must submit your request in writing within 30 days of the date on the denial letter you received and clearly outline any additional information you now have to present.
- Why are there restrictions on the kind of course I can apply for through Second Career?
Second Career is designed to provide laid-off workers with skills training to help them find jobs in high-demand occupations in Ontario. Its purpose is to provide training that helps laid-off workers move to better jobs than they could obtain without training, such as those with higher skills.
- What kind of careers can I train for through Second Career?
There are many high-demand careers to choose from, including:
- Industrial electricians
- Plumbers
- Carpenters
- Tilesetters
- Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics
- Truck drivers
- Insurance adjusters
- Customer service, information and related clerks
- Architectural technologists and technicians
- Telecommunications line and cable workers
- User support technicians
- Systems testing technicians
- Medical radiation technicians
- Medical sonographers
- Paralegal and related occupations
- Community and social service workers
- Early childhood educators and assistants
- Chefs
- Hairstylists and barbers
- Food and beverage servers
- Can I apply for support for more than one course?
You can only apply for one training program at a time. Support for additional training is sometimes available; for example, to support the academic upgrading or a prerequisite you may need before entering a skills training program.
- How does the ministry determine the amount of my financial assistance for Second Career skills training?
You are asked to include detailed financial information with your application for Second Career. Staff with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities will evaluate individual need and determine the amount of financial support the ministry will provide you through Second Career.
The new Second Career guidelines do not change this process and you may be asked to contribute more for your training.
The maximum support Second Career provides for tuition, books and other instructional costs, transportation, and basic living allowance is $28,000. Additional support may be available for: disability accommodation, dependent care, living away from home, and academic upgrading
- How much am I expected to contribute to my training supported by Second Career?
In all cases, the ministry will work with you to determine a reasonable contribution to the total cost of training. The new guidelines do not change this process and you may be asked to contribute more towards your training.
- Can I take a temporary job now while applying for Second Career?
Yes, you may take a temporary job while applying for Second Career, but be sure to talk to your Employment Ontario assessment centre about your plans and financial needs.
A temporary job is one that pays less than $423 per week and requires a skill level of NOC D, as classified in the Statistics Canada NOC skills matrix.
Any earnings will be taken into account in determining your eligibility for Second Career and financial support for your training.
- What if I find a job while participating in training funded by Second Career?
If you find a job while participating in training funded by Second Career, you should immediately contact your Employment Ontario assessment centre.
- How many hours per week are Second Career participants allowed to work while in school?
If you find a job while taking training supported by Second Career, you should immediately inform your Employment Ontario assessment centre. This is also the case for part-time training or education.
You can work and participate in skills training as long as the amount of time spent on the job does not prevent you from going to school and doing well in your training program.
The amount you earn may also affect both Employment Insurance Part I benefits and financial support for training provided through Second Career.
- What if my severance is larger than I expected or I receive Employment Insurance Part I benefits that affect my financial assistance from Second Career?
Prior to being approved for support from Second Career, every applicant receives a thorough financial assessment to determine the financial feasibility of participating in skills training. A key principle of Second Career is that each individual contributes to the cost of training depending on need and resources.
- Under what circumstances can Second Career financial assistance be re-assessed?
After your application has received approval, the financial support you receive from Second Career can be reassessed for any income received (including scholarships and bursaries) or any change in your financial situation during the time you are receiving assistance. This is similar to the rules around Employment Insurance.
- What happens if my Employment Insurance ends while I'm taking a course supported through Second Career?
The length of your Employment Insurance support is taken into account during the process for applying for Second Career. If you have a concern, talk to your case manager.
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