The list below shows Ontario Works Training Programs to help prepare for employment, self-employment or career advancement.
Program participants will receive financial benefits to support their participation in these training programs. If you would like to learn more about the programs listed below, and the financial benefits you might receive, please speak to your caseworker.
Program availability is subject to changes. Please consult your caseworker for details regarding available programs. All programs require caseworker referral.
| Training Focus | Program and Agency Name | Description | Starts | Target Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preparing for Employment |
START Customer Care Careers for All Women |
9-week program prepares women to obtain employment or pursue additional training in customer service in the financial services, business services or tourism sectors. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | Women |
| Specialized Personal Services (Esthetician /Hair Stylist, etc.) |
Esthetics and Wellness Training |
12-week program for refugees and equity seeking newcomers who wish to become licensed and certified for careers in the esthetics and wellness industries. Training includes career and employment goal identification, employment plan creation, skills development to enhance computer skills/digital access and use of social media, communication, soft skills and workplace orientation. A volunteer placement is included. | March 2025 | Newcomers / immigrants / refugees (with a work permit) |
| Preparing for Employment |
LEAP Employment Program |
4-week program for people who face multiple barriers to employment such as involvement with the criminal justice system, long-term unemployment, mental health challenges, or discrimination. Program includes employment and employability skills as well as activities/workshops that develop interpersonal and social skills, explore/determine career paths, provide job development and maintenance, and connect to supports within the community. | February 2025 | Experience with criminal justice system |
| Health Care / Personal Support |
Personal Care Aid Training Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association (Carefirst) |
12-week program teaches people to provide care to frail seniors and people with special needs. Graduates will be prepared for employment in nursing homes, community home care agencies, retirement homes, private homes, etc. | March 2025 | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Bridges to Employment |
11-week program provides intensive, client-centered support to participants with complex employment and social needs to address personal, educational and skill-building goals and plan their eventual entry or return to employment. | February 2025 | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Building Connections – Manicure and Pedicure Certification Training |
5-week program helps people with lower English skills enhance their sector-specific language skills and prepare for employment/advancement or self-employment. Students will receive manicure and pedicure training and the opportunity to receive a Manicure and Pedicure Certificate. | March 2025 | Multiple challenges (e.g. long-term unemployed, homeless, mental health issues); Newcomers / immigrants / refugees (with a work permit) |
| Security Protective Services |
Security and Protective Services Training |
5-week program prepares people to pursue an entry-level position as a security officer or undercover loss prevention officer. Training includes lectures, role playing, hands-on practice and simulations as well as life skills, interview skills, job searching/job retention tips. Graduates will be prepared to become licensed and receive certification in First Aid & CPR C. | January 2025 | Multiple challenges (e.g. long-term unemployed, homeless, mental health); Newcomers / immigrants / refugees (with a work permit) |
| Retail / Customer Service / Call Centre |
Client Service and Success Training – Formation sur le service à la clientèle et à la réussite (French) |
8-week program delivered exclusively in French. Training will prepare participants with the customer service skills necessary to work in retail, customer service or call centre environments. Participants who complete all hours and components will obtain a certificate of completion. | March 2025 | Francophone |
| Retail / Customer Service / Call Centre |
LGBTQ2SI+ Employment Program |
15-week program helps LGBTQ2SI+ community members who need support entering or re-entering the workforce. Training focuses on administration, customer service and hospitality skills. Program includes 11 weeks of training and a 4-week placement. | February 2025 | LGBTQ2SI+ |
| Preparing for Employment |
Life Skills and Customer Service Training (Job Link 101) |
12-week program ensures participants meet the pre-requisites for employment and/or re-entry into the workforce. Topics include: labour market information and required skills for various jobs, workplace expectations, and self-evaluations to assess for attributes and employability skills. Program helps participants identify and overcome employment barriers. | February 2025 | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Internationally Trained Individuals |
4-week program helps internationally trained participants prepare for further skills training and identify employment opportunities in their field or a related occupation. Participants will develop fundamental skills, pre-requisites for employment, increased self-reliance and improved life management, and enhance their employment opportunities. | January 2025 | Internationally educated individuals; Newcomers / immigrants / refugees (with a work permit) |
| Preparing for Employment |
Youth Incubator Program: Hospitality Stream |
8-week hybrid program that provides skills in Hospitality and Culinary Arts. This program combines technical skills training, career planning and opportunities, along with practical on-site job training and some industry certifications. Participants will receive online training from George Brown College’s Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts and hands-on kitchen training with Dixon Hall’s Chef Instructor. Upon completion of the program, participants will be referred to Employment Ontario for job search support. | April 2025 | Youth 18-29 |
| Preparing for Employment |
EDGE |
15-week program provides participants with skills that will allow them to pursue employment in the fields of hospitality services (e.g. retail services, food and beverage services, bartender) or/and office administration. Program consists of five weeks of in-class training and 10 weeks of unpaid placement in the participant’s sector of choice. | January 2025 | Racialized; Women; Youth 18-29; Multiple challenges (e.g. long-term unemployed, homeless, mental health) |
| Community Development / Social Services |
Working with People in the Social Sector |
13-week program helps participants to develop and hone their skills, overcome personal challenges that act as barriers to entering the job market, and practice their skills through projects, job shadowing and networking opportunities. Participants also complete industry related certifications, including: First Aid/CPR, Mental Health First Aid, and Crisis Prevention Intervention. | March 2025 | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Career Directions in Hospitality |
10-week program for people who are interested in the hospitality industry but currently lack the skills required to work in this field. | March 2025 | All |
| Transportation |
AZ Program |
8-week program provides participants with classroom and hands-on training to prepare them for their AZ road test and employment. Topics include all mandatory elements noted in the Ministry of Transportation’s Class A Mandatory Entry-Level Training Standard. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | All |
| Security Protective Services |
Security Guard Training |
6-week program prepares people to work as security guards and/or pursue other occupations in the safety sector through workshops that develop industry-specific skills. Program includes interviewing, resume writing and job searching skills. Successful graduates will receive their Security Guard license. | January 2025 | All |
| Arts / Design / Culture / Media / Entertainment |
Industrial Power Sewing |
16-week program provides the technical skills needed for industrial sewing machine operators. Program includes practical work experience with an industry employer and an official George Brown College Certificate is awarded to program graduates. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | All |
| Transportation |
AZ Program |
8-week program prepares participants for the Ministry of Transportation of Ontario’s road test. Successful graduates will be able to operate tractor-trailers as AZ commercial drivers / AZ transport drivers. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Career Counselling-Evaluation (CC-E) |
8-week program provides participants with vocational evaluation assessment and support to develop a personal action plan based on their interests and abilities, leading to employment, further training or other next steps. | February 2025 | Individuals with intellectual disabilities; Individuals with learning disabilities; Multiple challenges (e.g. long-term unemployed, homeless, mental health) |
| Construction / Trades / General Labour |
Tradelinx |
12-week program prepares participants with the essential skills, workplace communication, math, health and safety, construction certification and wraparound supports to start an apprenticeship in carpentry, construction, ironwork or sheet metal. | March 2025 | All |
| Community Development / Social Services |
We Are Focused on Social Service (Support) Sector |
6-week program helps people develop skills required for entry into the social services sector. Program participants will develop industry-specific knowledge and technical competency; learn workplace safety skills; understand available social services sector jobs and receive support to secure meaningful employment/paid placement/apprenticeship. | January 2025 & March 2025 | All |
| Manufacturing / Production / Warehousing |
Industrial Skills 10-Week Program |
10-week program provides the training and certifications required to work in the shipping/receiving and warehousing industries. Training includes shipping and receiving, propane handling, WHMIS, health and safety, First Aid/CPR, basic computer and Raymond Reach, Counter Balance and Walkie-Rider Forklift. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Career Essentials |
16-week program helps individuals who are furthest from the labour market to transition to work, further education/training and/or other supports. | January 2025 | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Toronto East Opportunity Access Program |
8-week program helps people with lived experience (dealing with poverty, homelessness, addictions and/or mental health challenges) access employment opportunities in the non-profit, government and business sectors with a focus on working in the social service sector. Training includes skill-learning and transfer as well as supervised work placement opportunities. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | All; Multiple challenges (e.g. long-term unemployed, homeless, mental health) |
| Preparing for Employment |
Employment Exploration |
8-week program helps participants with some barriers to employment to develop a career plan based on their skills and abilities and take the next steps to employment, further education/training or other supports. | January 2025 | All |
| Administrative / Clerical |
Connections: Computer & Customer Service Training Program |
15-week program offers training in computers (MS Office, keyboarding), Service Excellence Certification, business communication and job searching. Program includes a six-week job placement where participants can gain relevant Canadian work experience. | February 2025 | Newcomers / immigrants / refugees (with a work permit) |
| Technology |
Junior IT Analyst |
14-week program equips youth (18-29) with wraparound supports, career coaching and mentoring, and job placement services. Graduates of the program earn the industry-recognized Google IT Support Professional certification and participants are prepared for in-demand IT jobs. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | Youth 18-29 |
| Preparing for Employment |
Oasis Employment Essentials Program |
6-week program for people in recovery from drugs/alcohol includes life and employment skills, basic computer skills and personality assessments, addiction recovery and maintenance skills, exploration of education and employment options and goal setting. | January 2025 | Individuals in recovery / addictions |
| Hospitality / Tourism / Food Services |
Ready-to-Work: Hospitality Career Pathways |
8-week program combines industry-recognized training and national emerit hospitality certification with workplace-based training. Program participants receive sector-relevant knowledge, skills and experience, individualized career coaching and assistance with developing their career plan. Program also helps people move into employment in the sector or enroll in a related education/training program. Those who secure employment receive support to keep their new jobs. | February 2025 | All |
| Arts/Design / Culture / Media / Entertainment |
Learn 2 Earn Digital Media and E-Commerce |
8-week course for youth (18-29) teaches skills in interactive digital media e-commerce including audio/visual, video and podcasting, website development, graphic design and social media platforms in order to find employment in the digital media field. This field includes film/TV/video production studios and e-commerce businesses that use communication technologies including social media platforms and more. | March 2025 | Youth 18-29 |
| Transportation |
AZ Tractor Trailer & Flatbed Training Program |
8-week program provides dry-van, flatbed and Moffat Monty Training. This program provides certification and prepares students for the Commercial Driver Ontario AZ License Exam. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | All |
| Hospitality / Tourism / Food Services |
Women in Food and Customer Service |
7-week program helps women enter careers in the retail, food and customer service sectors through career exploration and training in customer service and technical skills. Program helps women understand the sector through skills training and on the job training, and helps participants obtain necessary certifications such as food handling and Smart Serve, CPR and First Aid. | February 2025 | Women |
| Technology |
Skills in Technology (SIT) |
16-week program prepares participants for jobs in IT technology support as Systems Network Associates. Program is instructor-led with a focus on combining technical and soft skills. | February 2025 | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Choices: Building Skills for a Better Future |
12-week program for people facing multiple challenges to employment. Participants will explore career and life options, learn skills and develop work/life goals to help them transition to employment, further education or training and/or other supports. | February 2025 | All |
| Retail / Customer Service / Call Centre |
Customers FIRST for Women |
8-week program helps participants develop customer service skills. Participants will develop a better understanding of the customer service sector and sub-sectors, develop career goals within the sector and complete skills training and work-based learning activities. Graduates will have increased their employability for the customer service sector and be better prepared to move into employment or further education and skill training. | January 2025 | Women |
| Hospitality / Tourism / Food Services |
Food Service and Hospitality Training |
10-week program provides sector-specific skills for employment in the fields of food and beverage service, catering and social entrepreneurship, office and administration, and events management. Program includes training, assessment, career exploration, development of individual career plans, and customized supports. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | All |
| Transportation |
AZ Truck Driver Training |
8-week program prepares participants for employment as AZ tractor-trailer truck drivers. Successful participants will receive job search support and referrals to employment opportunities. | January 2025 & February 2025 | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Dreaming in Colour |
14-week program offers a holistic approach to career development. Program includes eight weeks in a classroom setting developing life skills, motivation and job search skills followed by a four-week work placement in an industry of interest to the participant. | March 2025 | All |
| Business / Finance |
Accounting and Finance |
16-week training program for people who have background education and/or work experience in accounting/bookkeeping and/or finance. Program will provide training on the most up-to-date accounting and financial software as well as information about the Canadian workplace environment and culture. | March 2025 | Newcomers / immigrants / refugees (with a work permit) |
| Preparing for Employment |
Pathways to Employment |
10-week program helps women identify their career/employment goals, develop employment-related skills and gain an enhanced sense of self. Program includes classroom and computer instruction and participants focus on soft skills (communication, team work and conflict resolution), leading to improved interpersonal skills and self-confidence as well as a plan to achieve increased independence and employment. | March 2025 | Multiple challenges (e.g. long-term unemployed, homeless, mental health); Women |
| Preparing for Employment |
Employment Essentials Program |
12-week program helps women achieve goals such as securing employment, pursuing education/skill training, gaining other work preparation experience, accessing addiction or mental health treatment; and/or accessing other income/financial support programs. Individual Program Plans are developed. | January 2025 | Women |
| Retail / Customer Service / Call Centre |
Customer Service and Call Centre |
4-week program helps participants find employment in a call centre environment. Training will focus on job skills, counselling and soft skills development. | January 2025 | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Ve’ahavta Skills Academy |
9-week program for people experiencing poverty and hardship. Program helps break down barriers, restore dignity, and empower individuals to become full participants in the community by supporting their transition to training/education, apprenticeship or other services. | January 2025 | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
VPI Employment Essentials |
16-week program helps people gain sustainable employment, further education or skills training, while overcoming issues and gaining financial independence. Program includes skills/personality/social condition assessments which lead to customized learning activities that help participants move towards sustainable employment. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Older Worker’s Initiative |
6-week program provides employment, digital literacy and financial and retirement planning to job seekers aged 45 and over to support their unique challenges with mental/physical health, employment and financial wellbeing. | March 2025 | Adults 45+ |
| Preparing for Employment |
Introduction to Food and Horticulture |
12-week program prepares participants who have been distant from the labour market for employment in the food services or horticulture sectors. Graduates may be employed in one of Working for Change’s social enterprises. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | All |
| Technology |
Microsoft Office Specialist |
16-week program helps women who have administrative/secretarial experience but have been away from the workplace for an extended time. Program offers the skills required to work as an administrative assistant in various settings, for example: executive secretary, office administrative assistant, private secretary, secretary, technical secretary. Certificate: Microsoft Specialist | February 2025 | Women |
| Preparing for Employment |
Evergreen Next Step |
5-week program for participants of all ages with complex challenges. Program includes employability workshops, basic computer training, health and wellness, and work placements for job-ready participants. Participants can also be referred to further education/training, apprenticeships and other supports as needed. Although open to all ages, youth are encouraged to participate in this program. | TBA (between January 2025 and March 2025) | All |
| Construction / Trades / General Labour |
Construction Technology Program |
12-week program will provide a mix of in-class upgrading, hands-on skills, and exposure to multiple trades and will support participants in retaining employment in the trades. | January 2025 | All |
| Preparing for Employment |
Career Discovery |
6-week program for people with complex needs and focuses on career exploration, providing intensive support to develop career/life goals and skills. Participants will gain a clear understanding of the current labour market and how to be successful in it. | March 2025 | All |
| Arts / Design / Culture / Media / Entertainment |
Media Training Program |
16-week training program for youth (18-29) from traditionally underrepresented communities who have a strong interest in media content development and production. Program includes hands-on technical training and critical soft skills development led by expert staff and industry instructors. Successful participants are connected with paid placements and work opportunities. | March 2025 | Youth 18-29; Racialized |
| Hospitality / Tourism/ Food Services |
Basic Culinary Skills Training Program |
16-week program helps people gain skills and knowledge for successful careers in food services. Training includes large quantity food production, kitchen organization, sanitation, cooking and baking techniques, foods labs and much more. Classroom components include team building, self-awareness, effective communication, food handlers, basic First Aid, WHMIS and job readiness workshops. | January 2025 | All |