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Employment & Social Services |
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Education and upgrading
High school diplomas and other upgrading
Academic and Career Entrance (ACE) |
ACE is an academic upgrading program for people who have not completed high school and are interested in college or apprenticeship. An ACE certificate is considered to be equivalent to Grade 12 by colleges and apprenticeship offices in Ontario. ACE courses are free for people who qualify and can be taken full-time or part-time. For more information, please contact the Literacy Access Network at 416-961-5557. |
Adult upgrading |
Adult upgrading programs help people earn high school credits towards an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. They also help people prepare for college or university. Most programs are for adults 21 years of age and older who have completed at least grade 9. Classes are offered by the Toronto District School Board.
Continuing education courses for adults are offered by the Toronto District School Board, the Toronto Catholic School Board and by post-secondary institutions across Toronto. You can take general interest courses or courses that help you earn high school credits. |
Co-operative education |
Several co-operative education (co-op) programs are available to help adults earn high school credits while gaining work experience.
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| Distance education |
The Independent Learning Centre (ILC) is Ontario's designated provider of distance education courses. The ILC offers courses that can help people earn a high school diploma. Read about their available distance education courses.
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General Educational Development (GED) |
General Educational Development (GED) helps adults who have not finished high school get their Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate. GED Preparation Courses help people get ready for the GED test. Adults who pass the GED test earn the Ontario High School Equivalency Certificate.
Various local community organizations, schools and colleges run GED Preparation Courses. The Independent Learning Centre is responsible for GED testing.
If you are receiving Ontario Works, you may be eligible for help paying for GED Preparation Courses, the GED tests, transportation costs and supplies. For more information talk to your caseworker or go to an Employment Centre. |
If you are receiving Ontario Works you may be eligible for help with school costs such as registration fees and supplies.
For more information, visit an Employment Centre or talk to your caseworker. |
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Bridging programs
Academic bridging programs are offered by some colleges and universities to help students who have been out of school prepare for post-secondary education. For more information you can contact the college or university of your choice and ask about academic bridging programs.
The Toronto District School Board offers some bridging programs through their adult day schools. These programs can help you get the academic credits you need to enter into specific fields of work.
Other types of bridging programs help internationally trained professionals and tradespersons to move into the Canadian workplace by providing training for specific industries and helping with assessments of international credentials. The Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration has information on bridge training programs for newcomers.
Language programs
| English as a Second Language (ESL) |
English as a Second Language (ESL) classes are for people who want to improve their English language skills.
There are schools across Toronto that offer ESL classes. For school locations:
Some newcomers can also get ESL help through Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) at 416-364-4888. Toronto Public Library also offers ESL classes. |
| French as a Second Language (FSL) |
French as a Second Language (FSL) classes help people improve their French language skills.
For information regarding French classes for adults contact the Toronto District School Board’s Continuing Education Department at 416-338-4111.
You can also find information on French language classes by visiting Centre francophone de Toronto.
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| Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) |
Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) is a free program that helps newcomers learn English. To be eligible to sign up for LINC classes, you must be:
- 16 years of age or older, and
- a Landed Immigrant, a Convention Refugee, or an authorized Temporary Resident.
To sign up for LINC classes, call the YMCA at 416-925-5462 to arrange for an assessment appointment.
For more information, visit an Employment Centre, or the Citizenship and Immigration website. |
Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP):
For parents aged 16 to 25
The Learning, Earning and Parenting (LEAP) program helps people who are receiving Ontario Works complete their high school education and attend parenting classes.
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If you are receiving Ontario Works and you are a 16 or 17-year-old parent, your caseworker will automatically start you in LEAP. If you are an 18 to 25-year-old parent and you have not completed high school, you can choose to participate in the program. Talk to your caseworker about how to enrol. |
While taking part in LEAP, you can participate in activities such as:
- Learning: high school, alternative education programs, a General Education Development (GED) program or adult upgrading.
- Earning: Part-time work, summer employment, a job search program, apprenticeship, co-op education, job shadowing or volunteering.
- Parenting: Parenting classes, Public Health programs, Early Years Centres, family resource programs, parent/child recreation programs, or life skills classes.
Funds are available to help you attend the Ontario Works LEAP program. Each parent who takes part in LEAP will receive an extra $203 per month. In a two parent family, if both parents are involved in LEAP, you will receive $406 per month in addition to your monthly Ontario Works benefits.
Additional funds are available to help pay for the cost of:
- school supplies
- school-related activities
- school clothing or uniform
- tutoring, and
- other program-related costs.
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Each parent involved in LEAP will receive $500 upon successfully completing the LEAP program. This amount is to pay for further education for yourself or your child(ren).
For more information on the LEAP program talk to your caseworker about how to enrol.
Literacy and Basic Skills Programs
Literacy and Basic Skills Programs help people improve their reading, writing and math skills. Most literacy programs are for adults 19 years and older, who are not already in school. Classes are offered in English, French or American Sign Language. Students must be able to communicate in one of these languages well enough to participate without extra help.
For more information on Literacy and Basic Skills Programs, call the Literacy Access Network at 416-961-5557 or visit your local Employment Centre. If you are receiving Ontario Works you may be eligible for help paying for transportation and supplies.
 Education resources
- Assessment and translation of international credentials
- Employment Centres
- Independent Learning Centre – for information on distance education and General Educational Development (GED)
- Ministry of Education / Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities - responsible for education and skills training laws in Ontario
- Ontario Student Assistance program - for information on available loans and grants for post secondary students, including the Student Access Guarantee for low and middle-income students
- Ontario Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology – offer programs that can help people pursue careers in business, applied arts, technology, or health sciences
- Ontario Colleges – Ontario College application service, with information on funding, college locations and programs
- Ontario Universities – offer programs leading to bachelor, masters and doctorate degrees as well as offering continuing education, distance education, and more
- Private Career Colleges – information on Ontario’s registered private career colleges offering courses for specific careers
- Pathways to Education – provides academic and social support to high school students in specific communities
- Post-Secondary Educational Institutions and Eligibility
- What are Your Circumstances? Information for Students
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