Skill training
Courses offered through Employment and Social Services
If you are receiving Ontario Works benefits in Toronto, a caseworker may refer you to skill training courses that are available through Employment and Social Services. Taking one of these courses can help you learn specific skills for jobs that are in demand.
Examples of the types of courses that Employment and Social Services may offer include:
- customer service/retail
- food services
- building maintenance
- security and protective services
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- truck driving
- construction
- welding
- forklift operation
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Various organizations in the community offer these courses. In addition to teaching you a specific skill, these organizations can help you:
- improve your job search skills
- in some cases, participate in an unpaid work placement, and
- apply for paid jobs with their employer contacts.
If you take a skill training course, Employment and Social Services can help with transportation costs, supplies and clothing. For more information, visit: Help with employment and school costs
To learn about available courses, and for a referral, talk to your caseworker or go to an Employment Centre.
Individual training and services
If you are receiving Ontario Works benefits in Toronto you may take a skill training course offered through Employment and Social Services. If the course is not available, you can apply for individual training. This is called “Individual Services and Supports”. This option is for people who want to take a course to become employed in a specific industry.
If you want to apply for a skill training course through Individual Services and Supports, your caseworker will ask you to:
- provide details about how the course you want will help you find employment
- research organizations that provide the course you want, and
- complete at least one Individual Services and Supports Research form, which outlines the standards that the course and the school must meet. You can pick up these forms at any Employment and Social Services office.
For more information about Individual Services and Supports, talk to your caseworker or go to an Employment Centre.
Training through apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is hands-on trades training. Examples of the many trades you can learn through apprenticeship include:
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- Hairstylist
- Tool and die maker
- Automotive mechanic
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Most of the training is provided in the workplace by employers, along with some classroom instruction.
Apprentices are paid for their on-the-job training, and wages increase with experience.
For more information call 416-326-5800 or visit the Employment Ontario website. |
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Skill training resources
- Employment Ontario – a one-stop source of information for students, job seekers and employers run by the provincial government
- Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities – makes education and skills training laws in Ontario and runs Employment Ontario
- 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 registered private career colleges offering courses for specific careers
- Second Career Ontario - helps recently laid-off workers get training for high-demand jobs in their communities
- Service Canada – general information from the federal government on education and training
- Toronto District School Board Adult Day Schools – skills training and co-operative education programs for those aged 21 and older:
