Better Jobs Ontario: Up to $35,000 to Retrain After a Layoff

Losing a job can feel like the end of a career. In Ontario, it can also be the start of a paid retraining plan for a new one.

Better Jobs Ontario covers tuition, books and even a weekly living allowance while you study for an in-demand occupation.

This guide explains who qualifies for Better Jobs Ontario, how much free training funding you can receive and the steps to apply.

What Better Jobs Ontario is

Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) is a program funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. It replaced the older Second Career program and helps laid-off, unemployed and some underemployed people retrain for jobs with good prospects in the province. You do not apply directly to the government: an Employment Ontario employment services provider assesses you and helps you build your application.

The program supports skills training at colleges, private career colleges, and other approved providers, including micro-credentials and longer programs. Since August 2025, it supports training of up to two years in length.

What the money can cover

Funding depends on your training plan and a financial needs assessment. According to the province and college partners, eligible costs include:

• Tuition, books and other instructional costs such as student fees, supplies and electronic devices.
• Transportation to and from training.
• A basic living allowance to help with rent, food and utilities while you study.
• Child care, disability-related supports and costs of living away from home when training is not available locally.
• Literacy and basic skills or language training before your main program, if you need it.

The living allowance is not automatic. Employment Ontario guidelines explain that the $500 basic living allowance and $45 transportation allowance are given only up to the amount that brings your household income to a «moderate standard of living» level. If your household already has enough income, you may receive tuition support but a smaller allowance or none. Part-time training usually covers tuition and materials, not living costs.

How the pieces fit together

Think of the funding as two parts. The first part pays for the training itself: tuition, books, fees and supplies, up to the program limit. The second part helps you live while you study: the weekly living and transportation allowances, plus extras such as child care when you qualify. Your case manager calculates both parts using your training costs and your household income. That is why two people taking the same course can receive different amounts, and why it is important to report your income and expenses accurately from the start.

Who can qualify

You must live in Ontario and meet the program’s status requirements, which include being a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person. Beyond that, you may qualify if you:

• Were laid off and have not been working since, or
• Were laid off and are working only a temporary job to cover your costs, or
• Have not been laid off but have been unemployed for six months or longer and are part of a low-income household.

The definition of «laid off» is broader than many people think. Program guidelines include people whose fixed-term contract expired, people who received EI maternity or parental benefits and want to return to work, people who left work for medical reasons, and people who were laid off and then became self-employed. Even a layoff from another country may be considered with proof. Receiving severance or EI does not automatically disqualify you.

The suitability test

Being eligible is only half of the process. Your provider also checks suitability using an official assessment tool. In simple terms, you must show that:

• You need training to get a job, and you cannot easily find suitable work with your current skills.
• The occupation you choose is in demand, with evidence of good job prospects locally or in Ontario.
• You have researched the training, the costs and the employers who hire graduates.

The program uses the 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) to define eligible occupations and check labour market data, so knowing the NOC code of your target job helps.

How to apply, step by step

1. Contact an Employment Ontario provider. Find a local employment services office; many colleges, YMCAs and community agencies run these centres. Book an appointment and say that you want to be assessed for Better Jobs Ontario.

2. Complete the eligibility and suitability assessment. Bring proof of layoff, such as a Record of Employment, your ID, and information about your household income.

3. Research your training and job market. You will usually compare training providers, collect cost information and gather evidence of job demand, such as job postings and wage data. If you pay for training yourself, you may only need to research one institution, but the program favours the most cost-effective option.

4. Submit your plan and wait for approval. Your case manager sends the application. Do not start or pay for training before approval, since costs already paid may not be covered.

5. Train and stay in touch. Once approved, you attend training and report progress. After you finish, your provider can help with the job search.

Popular training choices

Colleges promote Better Jobs Ontario for programs in fields with strong demand, such as personal support work, early childhood education, skilled trades pre-apprenticeship, truck driving, IT support, accounting and supply chain. The best choice is one that matches local job postings and your own strengths. A training plan backed by real postings and employer contacts has a much better chance of approval.

Common mistakes to avoid

Do not choose a program only because a school advertises it as «BJO approved». Check graduate employment rates and talk to employers. Keep copies of every document you submit. Answer all questions about income honestly, because the living allowance depends on it. And apply as soon as possible after a layoff, while your situation clearly fits the eligibility rules.

This site is an independent guide and is not affiliated with the Government of Ontario. Funding amounts and eligibility rules can change; confirm details with an Employment Ontario provider.