Get skills training and financial support when you qualify for Better Jobs Ontario.
August 20th, 2025 – Ontario Investing an additional $50 million in Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) to Protect Workers Affected by U.S. Tariffs. This will help job seekers, including those facing challenges finding a stable job (like youth and people on social assistance), with up to $35,000 for costs such as tuition, transportation and child care.
Better Jobs Ontario eligibility has been expanded to better help people who may face challenges finding stable jobs — such as gig workers, youth, and people on social assistance. If you have been unemployed for six months or longer, and are part of a low-income household, you may benefit from these changes.
Better Jobs Ontario provides eligible applicants with:
- skills training for in-demand jobs
- financial support (up to $35,000 for costs including tuition, books, other instructional costs, and a basic living allowance of up to $500 per week)
Additional funding may be available for things like childcare, disability-related supports, living away from home, and Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) and/or language training
Better Jobs Ontario aims to help you rejoin the workforce quickly. That’s why the program focuses on training programs that take 2 years or less to complete, including micro-credential programs.
Am I eligible for Better Jobs Ontario?
You may qualify for Better Jobs Ontario if you either:
- have been laid-off and have not been working or are working a temporary job just to cover costs, or
- have not been laid-off but have been unemployed for six months or longer and are part of a low-income household.
You can still apply if you receive one of the following:
- Employment Insurance (EI)
- Ontario Works (OW)
- Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
Eligible Programs
Please visit this link to review the list of eligible programs.
Niagara College’s pre-apprenticeship programs are also eligible for Better Jobs Ontario funding. Pre-apprenticeship programs are offered on a year to year basis upon funding approval.
Niagara College’s graduate certificate programs may also be eligible for Better Jobs Ontario funding. Please connect with an Employment Counsellor to discuss
How to Apply:
Call to schedule an appointment with an Employment Consultant to discuss Better Jobs Ontario funding.
More information is available about this program from the Ontario Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development at https://www.ontario.ca/page/better-jobs-ontario.