Help for Job Seekers
This tool can help you find local groups and resources to assist you with your:- Education
- Career
- Work goals
- Click on the item below that best describes what you want.
- Keep making choices until you find what you need.
- To go back to any point, click the ^ button next to the section you wish to close.
Some groups offer special programming. Please choose what fits you best.
The legal minimum age to work in Ontario depends on the type of work you want to do. For most jobs, you must be at least 14 or 15 years old.
Below are some job and career-related options that you can consider while in high school. To learn more, check with your high school guidance counsellor. They may be aware of other supports or programs for you.
- Cooperative (Co-op) education:
- Students can apply two co-op credits towards their high school graduation, with no limit on earning other co-op credits. All Ontario school boards with high schools offer co-op programs. Contact your cooperative education or guidance department, or your school principal for more information.
- Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP):
- Consider careers in the skilled trades through on-the-job training and classroom learning
- Dual Credit Programs:
- Take college or apprenticeship credit courses that count towards high school graduation.
- Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM):
- Gain credits toward your high school Diploma and focus your learning on a specific economic sector at the same time.
These are organizations that support youth with career decision making. They may offer programs to youth one-to-one or provide support through high schools and other organizations.
Youth Job Connection Summer is a free program that offers paid training, mentorship, and a summer job placement. To be eligible, you must be a high school student between the ages of 15-18, and meet other criteria.
Contact Employment Ontario or one of the organizations below to ask about the “Youth Job Connection Summer” program:
These are career programs and services for youth that are provided by the provincial or federal government.
Province of Ontario:
- Get help finding a youth or student job:
- Summer Employment Opportunities All summer jobs require you to have a “student” status. A student is defined as someone enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution (currently or for the fall semester) or has graduated within the past six months.
- Starting your own business? Government entrepreneurship funds for people under 30
Government of Canada (Federal):
- Job opportunities and Government of Canada hiring programs for students:
- Youth Digital Gateway Find online tools to build your future:
- skills quizzes
- resume building
- career planning help
- student budgeting
- loan repayment tips.
- Federal Student Work Experience Program Apply for a Government of Canada student job. To be eligible you must be
- a full-time high school, college or university student
- and be returning to full-time studies in the next academic year
- Specialized Student Recruitment Programs:
- RCMP
- Coast Guard
- Treasury Board of Canada
- and more
- Paid Education in the Canadian Armed Forces
- Youth Digital Gateway Find online tools to build your future:
Employment Agencies are private for-profit companies. The jobs they offer to job seekers may be permanent jobs, or short- or long-term contracts. Some agencies specialize in specific sectors (i.e. industrial, professional, healthcare, etc.).
Employers connect with agencies like these to save time and effort in the hiring process. The employer pays a fee or wage percentage to the agency to find candidates who are a good match for the job. There is no fee to the job seeker. The agency wants many job seekers in its database so it can provide employers with the best match. Signing up with an agency is not a guarantee that they will find you the type of work you are interested in.
Employment agencies want employees who are job-ready. This means that they will expect you to already have:
- a good resume
- good interview skills
- the skills you need for the job
- planned your
- transportation
- childcare
- or anything else needed to be a good and reliable worker.
If you would like help with becoming “job-ready”, including help with your resume and interview skills, connect first with your local Employment Ontario Service Provider (or school guidance counsellor or Career Centre, if you are a student).
Private Employment Agencies (view these results on a map in a new tab):
If you are a university or college student, connect with your campus Career Centre for more resources and services. Alumni may also have access to these career services.
These are career programs and services for youth that are provided by the provincial or federal government.
Province of Ontario:
- Get help finding a youth or student job:
- Summer Employment Opportunities All summer jobs require you to have a “student” status. A student is defined as:
- someone enrolled in a secondary or post-secondary institution (currently or for the fall semester)
- or has graduated within the past six months.
- Ontario Internship Programs – requires recent graduation (or will soon graduate) from a recognized college or university program
- Starting your own business? Government entrepreneurship funds for people under 30
- Summer Employment Opportunities All summer jobs require you to have a “student” status. A student is defined as:
Government of Canada (Federal):
- Job opportunities and Government of Canada hiring programs for students:
- Youth Digital Gateway Find online tools to build your future:
- skills quizzes
- resume building
- career planning help
- student budgeting
- and loan repayment tips.
- Federal Student Work Experience Program Apply for a Government of Canada student job. To be eligible you must be:
- a full-time high school, college or university student
- and be returning to full-time studies in the next academic year
- Research Affiliate Program Work part-time as a research affiliate with the Government of Canada, while pursuing your studies. Must be:
- a full-time student in a post-secondary institution
- and enrolled in an academic program that requires research as part of your curriculum
- Post-Secondary Co-op/Internship Program Choose the Government of Canada for your next co-op/internship placement. You must be a full-time student registered in a post-secondary co-op/internship program that is on their list of validated institutions and programs.
- Specialized Student Recruitment Programs:
- RCMP
- Coast Guard
- Treasury Board of Canada
- and more
- Paid Education in the Canadian Armed Forces
- Youth Digital Gateway Find online tools to build your future:
Employment Agencies are private for-profit companies. The jobs they offer to job seekers may be permanent jobs, or short- or long-term contracts. Some agencies specialize in specific sectors (i.e. industrial, professional, healthcare, etc.).
Employers connect with agencies like these to save time and effort in the hiring process. The employer pays a fee or wage percentage to the agency to find candidates who are a good match for the job. There is no fee to the job seeker. The agency wants many job seekers in its database so it can provide employers with the best match. Signing up with an agency is not a guarantee that they will find you the type of work you are interested in.
Employment agencies want employees who are job-ready. This means that they will expect you to already have:
- a good resume
- good interview skills
- the skills you need for the job
- planned your
- transportation
- childcare
- or anything else needed to be a good and reliable worker.
If you would like help with becoming “job-ready”, including help with your resume and interview skills, connect first with your local Employment Ontario Service Provider (or school guidance counsellor or Career Centre, if you are a student).
Private Employment Agencies (view these results on a map in a new tab):
Free help with
- Resumes
- job search
- interview skills
- career planning
- connections to other job-related programs and supports.
Able to help
- Canadian Citizens
- Permanent Residents
- people that have been granted Refugee Status.
Note: Employment Services through Employment Ontario service providers are not available to people enrolled as a full-time student. Most students will have access to career services offered via their school. You can connect with Employment Services when school career services are no longer available to you.
View Employment Services locations on a map (will open in a new tab)
Youth Job Connection is a free program that offers paid training and a job placement. To be eligible, you must be between the ages of 15-29, and meet other criteria. Contact Employment Ontario or one of the organizations below to ask about the Youth Job Connection program:
These are career programs and services for youth that are provided by the provincial or federal government.
Province of Ontario:
- Get help finding a youth or student job:
- Starting your own business? Government entrepreneurship funds for people under 30
Government of Canada (Federal):
- Job opportunities and Government of Canada hiring programs for students:
- Youth Digital Gateway Find online tools to build your future:
- skills quizzes
- resume building
- career planning help
- student budgeting
- and loan repayment tips.
- Specialized Student Recruitment Programs:
- RCMP
- Coast Guard
- Treasury Board of Canada
- and more
- Paid Education in the Canadian Armed Forces
- Youth Digital Gateway Find online tools to build your future:
Employment Agencies are private for-profit companies. The jobs they offer to job seekers may be permanent jobs, or short- or long-term contracts. Some agencies specialize in specific sectors (i.e. industrial, professional, healthcare, etc.).
Employers connect with agencies like these to save time and effort in the hiring process. The employer pays a fee or wage percentage to the agency to find candidates who are a good match for the job. There is no fee to the job seeker. The agency wants many job seekers in its database so it can provide employers with the best match. Signing up with an agency is not a guarantee that they will find you the type of work you are interested in.
Employment agencies want employees who are job-ready. This means that they will expect you to already have:
- a good resume
- good interview skills
- the skills you need for the job
- planned your
- transportation
- childcare
- or anything else needed to be a good and reliable worker.
If you would like help with becoming “job-ready”, including help with your resume and interview skills, connect first with your local Employment Ontario Service Provider (or school guidance counsellor or Career Centre, if you are a student).
Private Employment Agencies (view these results on a map in a new tab):
A Newcomer is a landed immigrant or refugee who has been in Canada for a short time, usually less than five (5) years.
Local organizations providing one-on-one Employment and Settlement support for Newcomers to Canada:
Free help with
- Resumes
- job search
- interview skills
- career planning
- connections to other job-related programs and supports.
Able to help
- Canadian Citizens
- Permanent Residents
- people that have been granted Refugee Status.
Note: Employment Services through Employment Ontario service providers are not available to people enrolled as a full-time student. Most students will have access to career services offered via their school. You can connect with Employment Services when school career services are no longer available to you.
View Employment Services locations on a map (will open in a new tab)
Employment Agencies are private for-profit companies. The jobs they offer to job seekers may be permanent jobs, or short- or long-term contracts. Some agencies specialize in specific sectors (i.e. industrial, professional, healthcare, etc.).
Employers connect with agencies like these to save time and effort in the hiring process. The employer pays a fee or wage percentage to the agency to find candidates who are a good match for the job. There is no fee to the job seeker. The agency wants many job seekers in its database so it can provide employers with the best match. Signing up with an agency is not a guarantee that they will find you the type of work you are interested in.
Employment agencies want employees who are job-ready. This means that they will expect you to already have:
- a good resume
- good interview skills
- the skills you need for the job
- planned your
- transportation
- childcare
- or anything else needed to be a good and reliable worker.
If you would like help with becoming “job-ready”, including help with your resume and interview skills, connect first with your local Employment Ontario Service Provider (or school guidance counsellor or Career Centre, if you are a student).
Private Employment Agencies (view these results on a map in a new tab):
Local Immigration Partnerships are made up of
- businesses
- community agencies
- current residents
- governments
- and investors.
They plan together how to attract newcomers to their area and improve their life in the community.
Free help with
- Resumes
- job search
- interview skills
- career planning
- connections to other job-related programs and supports.
Able to help
- Canadian Citizens
- Permanent Residents
- people that have been granted Refugee Status.
Note: Employment Services through Employment Ontario service providers are not available to people enrolled as a full-time student. Most students will have access to career services offered via their school. You can connect with Employment Services when school career services are no longer available to you.
View Employment Services locations on a map (will open in a new tab)
Employment Agencies are private for-profit companies. The jobs they offer to job seekers may be permanent jobs, or short- or long-term contracts. Some agencies specialize in specific sectors (i.e. industrial, professional, healthcare, etc.).
Employers connect with agencies like these to save time and effort in the hiring process. The employer pays a fee or wage percentage to the agency to find candidates who are a good match for the job. There is no fee to the job seeker. The agency wants many job seekers in its database so it can provide employers with the best match. Signing up with an agency is not a guarantee that they will find you the type of work you are interested in.
Employment agencies want employees who are job-ready. This means that they will expect you to already have:
- a good resume
- good interview skills
- the skills you need for the job
- planned your
- transportation
- childcare
- or anything else needed to be a good and reliable worker.
If you would like help with becoming “job-ready”, including help with your resume and interview skills, connect first with your local Employment Ontario Service Provider (or school guidance counsellor or Career Centre, if you are a student).
Private Employment Agencies (view these results on a map in a new tab):
On this site, “Indigenous” refers to the first inhabitants of Canada, and includes First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.
Free help with
- Resumes
- job search
- interview skills
- career planning
- connections to other job-related programs and supports.
Able to help
- Canadian Citizens
- Permanent Residents
- people that have been granted Refugee Status.
Note: Employment Services through Employment Ontario service providers are not available to people enrolled as a full-time student. Most students will have access to career services offered via their school. You can connect with Employment Services when school career services are no longer available to you.
View Employment Services locations on a map (will open in a new tab)
Employment Agencies are private for-profit companies. The jobs they offer to job seekers may be permanent jobs, or short- or long-term contracts. Some agencies specialize in specific sectors (i.e. industrial, professional, healthcare, etc.).
Employers connect with agencies like these to save time and effort in the hiring process. The employer pays a fee or wage percentage to the agency to find candidates who are a good match for the job. There is no fee to the job seeker. The agency wants many job seekers in its database so it can provide employers with the best match. Signing up with an agency is not a guarantee that they will find you the type of work you are interested in.
Employment agencies want employees who are job-ready. This means that they will expect you to already have:
- a good resume
- good interview skills
- the skills you need for the job
- planned your
- transportation
- childcare
- or anything else needed to be a good and reliable worker.
If you would like help with becoming “job-ready”, including help with your resume and interview skills, connect first with your local Employment Ontario Service Provider (or school guidance counsellor or Career Centre, if you are a student).
Private Employment Agencies (view these results on a map in a new tab):
Free help with
- Resumes
- job search
- interview skills
- career planning
- connections to other job-related programs and supports.
Able to help
- Canadian Citizens
- Permanent Residents
- people that have been granted Refugee Status.
Note: Employment Services through Employment Ontario service providers are not available to people enrolled as a full-time student. Most students will have access to career services offered via their school. You can connect with Employment Services when school career services are no longer available to you.
View Employment Services locations on a map (will open in a new tab)
Employment Agencies are private for-profit companies. The jobs they offer to job seekers may be permanent jobs, or short- or long-term contracts. Some agencies specialize in specific sectors (i.e. industrial, professional, healthcare, etc.).
Employers connect with agencies like these to save time and effort in the hiring process. The employer pays a fee or wage percentage to the agency to find candidates who are a good match for the job. There is no fee to the job seeker. The agency wants many job seekers in its database so it can provide employers with the best match. Signing up with an agency is not a guarantee that they will find you the type of work you are interested in.
Employment agencies want employees who are job-ready. This means that they will expect you to already have:
- a good resume
- good interview skills
- the skills you need for the job
- planned your
- transportation
- childcare
- or anything else needed to be a good and reliable worker.
If you would like help with becoming “job-ready”, including help with your resume and interview skills, connect first with your local Employment Ontario Service Provider (or school guidance counsellor or Career Centre, if you are a student).
Private Employment Agencies (view these results on a map in a new tab):
- FindYourJob.ca – includes many tools helpful for your job search or career exploration.
- Job Board – gathers job postings from many online job boards into one location. This site does not pull from employer web sites so remember to check those sites if you have a specific employer in mind.
- JobSeekers Portal – Customize which job postings you want to see, companies or occupations you want to follow, and create your resume with the resume builder tool.
- JobBank.gc.ca – job postings, career planning, and trend analysis resources
- Ontario WorkInfoNet – Ontario’s largest network of work related resources
- Ontario.ca/page/jobs-and-employment is an Ontario government site with several jobs portals for essential jobs across Ontario. This includes postings in health care and food and agriculture. There are also volunteer opportunities on the site.
- Helplist.ca is a list where those with skills in the tech industry can add their name as being available for hire to the Canadian tech industry. Employers are invited to use the list to fill their tech vacancies.
- Ontario Work From Home Job Board – job postings that are listed as fully or partially work-from-home
Connect with your school or local Employment Ontario Employment Services provider for more resources.
If English is not your first language, there are places that can help!
To start, you will need an assessment of your current level of English. Language Assessments are tests that determine a person’s
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaking
skill levels and proficiency of the English Language. A language assessment follows Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB), ranging from literacy, level 1 to 12. Most organizations that provide English language classes follow the CLB levels and set up classes by individual level or a range of levels.
A language assessment is the first step towards knowing which classes or programs are the best fit for your current skills.
These locations offer Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) assessments for free. The CLB assessment is used for entry into most local English classes, as well as other community programs.
- Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, and Stratford-Perth areas:
- Guelph / Wellington County:
- Dufferin County:
These English language training programs are offered for free.
- LINC programs are funded by the federal government and are only available to Landed Immigrants and Convention Newcomers.
- ESL classes are funded by the provincial government through the School Board and are open to citizens and all legal residents over 18.
LINC Eligibility:
- Must be age 18 or older
- Must be a Newcomer to Canada:
- Permanent Residents
- Convention Refugees
- NOT available to Canadian Citizens
Waterloo Region:
- English At First (Literacy to CLB 4)
- Conestoga College (Literacy to CLB 7)
- St. Louis Adult Learning (Literacy to CLB 8)
Guelph / Wellington County:
- St. George’s Centre (Literacy to CLB 9)
Dufferin County:
- Upper Grand District School Board (Literacy to CLB 9)
ESL Eligibility:
- Must be age 18 or older
- Canadian citizens (if English is not your first language)
- Permanent Residents
- Landed immigrants
- Convention refugees
- Some locations may allow temporary residents and visitors to attend classes for a fee depending on class availability
Waterloo Region:
Guelph / Wellington County:
Near Dufferin County:
If you are applying to a university or college and your first language is not English, you may be required to take a standardized English assessment:
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System); OR
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
The school wants to know if your English is strong enough to succeed at an academic level, and these assessments provide the school with a guideline of your skills. Ask the school’s Admissions department which assessment they prefer and learn of more options that may be available.
IELTS Preparation Courses:
Academic English programs:
- Conestoga College (Kitchener)
- University of Waterloo (Waterloo)
- Wilfrid Laurier University (Waterloo)
- University of Guelph (Guelph)
- Georgian College (Orangeville)
Your local college, university, or Language Assessment Centre may know of more programs not listed here.
Public schools are government-subsidized, while private schools rely on tuition fees, endowments, and private donations to cover operating costs.
- Find and apply to public colleges: OntarioColleges.ca
- Find a public university in Ontario
- All public Ontario universities are applied to via: Ontario Universities’ Application Centre
- Find Private Career Colleges
- Private Career Colleges are independent businesses. To apply, contact your selected school directly.
- Find private universities in Ontario
- Private universities are independent businesses. To apply, contact your selected school directly.
There are 9 skills that provide the foundation you will need to succeed in life, learning and work:
- Reading
- Writing
- Numeracy (Math)
- Digital (Computer skills)
- Adaptability
- Collaboration
- Communication
- Creativity and innovation
- Problem Solving
You can learn more about these Skills for Success by clicking HERE.
Organizations that can help:
Waterloo Region:
Guelph / Wellington County:
Dufferin County:
There are several options for upgrading when you are an adult and your goal is Apprenticeship:
OSSD – Ontario Secondary School Diploma
- Earn or upgrade high school credits.
GED – General Educational Development
- A GED consists of four subject tests, that once passed, earn you a high school equivalency credential. The four subjects are:
- language arts
- math
- social studies; and
- science.
Academic / Career preparation programs
- available at public colleges such as Conestoga College or Georgian College
- equivalency programs for adult learners that help with:
- registration as an apprentice
- admission to college post-secondary programs; or
- jobs that require a high school or equivalent credential
Pre-Apprenticeship programs
If you’re interested in working in a trade but don’t have the skills or experience to get a job as an apprentice, you may be eligible for free Pre-Apprenticeship training. Program options vary from location to location.
To learn whether there are any Pre-Apprenticeship programs available in your area, check with your local public college or Employment Ontario Service Provider.
Waterloo Region:
Guelph / Wellington County:
Dufferin County:
There are several options for upgrading when you are an adult and your goal is to go to College or University:
OSSD – Ontario Secondary School Diploma
- Earn or upgrade high school credits.
GED – General Educational Development
- A GED consists of four subject tests, that once passed, earn you a high school equivalency credential. The four subjects are:
- language arts
- math
- social studies; and
- science.
- Some college or university programs may not accept a GED for admission, so check with the college or university’s Admissions Department to discover the best option for you.
Academic / Career preparation programs
- available at public colleges such as Conestoga College or Georgian College
- equivalency programs for adult learners that help with:
- admission to college post-secondary programs
- registration as an apprentice; or
- jobs that require a high school or equivalent credential
Waterloo Region:
Guelph / Wellington County:
Dufferin County:
Micro-credentials:
- are rapid training programs offered by postsecondary education institutions
- help people retrain and upgrade their skills to find new employment
- take less time to complete than degrees or diplomas
- are often created with input from business sectors, so the skills being taught match employer needs
- may be offered online, hybrid, or in-person
Find micro-credentials across Ontario here: https://microlearnontario.ca/
For a list of OSAP-eligible micro-credentials, visit: https://osap.gov.on.ca/SchoolSearchWeb/search/eligible_schools.xhtml
Once you have selected a micro-credential you’d like to take, register with the school directly.
There are 23 compulsory trades and 121 non-compulsory trades in Ontario.
- Compulsory trade: It is a legal requirement to be a registered apprentice or licensed journeyperson to do this work.
- Non-Compulsory trade: You do not need to be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson to do this work. Some of these trades offer certification, which shows proof of your level of skill or knowledge.
There are multiple ways to begin an apprenticeship:
- First job search and find an employer willing to train you, then take a mix of on-the-job and classroom training:
- Your employer would help you register as an apprentice, through the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD)
- You will need your apprenticeship registration information to sign up for your classroom training.
- First take some classroom training, then find an employer:
- The training you take now could exempt you from taking some classroom training parts later when you are working with your employer.
Learn more:
- Skilled Trades Ontario: List of all the skilled trades in Ontario, plus training standards and exam information
- Government of Ontario: general information on the trades, and how to get started
- Red Seal: A Red Seal endorsement is a seal on your provincial or territorial trade certificate. It is optional to take the Red Seal exam. It shows that you have the knowledge and skills necessary to practice your trade across all provinces in Canada. Not all trades offer a Red Seal exam.
- Apprenticesearch: Site that connects Employers and Apprentices across Canada
For more help, connect either with your school guidance counsellor or an Employment Services provider (for non-students).
- Honour the Work: Connects Canadians with interactive resources, training programs, scholarship info, educational material, and more!
- Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP): Taken in high school: Consider careers in the skilled trades through a combination of on-the-job training and classroom learning
- Pre-Apprenticeship training programs: Connect with an Employment Services provider to learn if there are any Pre-Apprenticeship programs available near you. These programs are free for eligible participants.
- Public Colleges > Professions & Trades
- Some programs at the public colleges are designated only for people who have a registered apprenticeship in place with an employer. Others may be available to take without being registered as an apprentice.
- Private Career Colleges: some private career colleges offer trades-specific training.
Free help with
- Career planning
- Resumes
- Job search
- Interview skills
- Connections to other job-related programs and supports.
Able to help
- Canadian Citizens
- Permanent Residents
- people that have been granted Refugee Status.
Note: Employment Services through Employment Ontario service providers are not available to people enrolled as a full-time student. Most students will have access to career services offered via their school. You can connect with Employment Services when school career services are no longer available to you.
View Employment Services locations on a map (will open in a new tab)
Some workplaces are unionized, some are not, and not all trades have unions!
Trade unions
- have information and advice about their trade
- are a way to meet people who work in that skilled trade
- may offer training or grant programs
There are many trades unions – too many to list here! Try doing an online search for “union” plus the trade you are interested in. For more help, connect with your school guidance counsellor or Employment Services provider.
You can find volunteering roles at some
- not-for-profit organizations
- charities
- faith groups
- or through your city/town’s main government office.
Most for-profit companies do not have volunteer positions, often for legal or company policy reasons.
Not all organizations post their volunteer positions online, so feel free to ask them directly if you see a place where you would like to volunteer. You can also find volunteer opportunities using the sites below:
In Dufferin County:
In Waterloo Region:
- Volunteer Waterloo Region
- Region of Waterloo – Volunteer
- City of Kitchener – Volunteer Opportunities
- City of Waterloo – Volunteering
In Guelph/Wellington County:
- Volunteer Centre of Guelph-Wellington
- The People and Information Network (PIN)
- The City of Guelph – Volunteer Opportunities
- The County of Wellington – Volunteer
Canada-wide:
There are many benefits to volunteering!
- Make a positive impact in your community
- Meet new people and feel connected
- Learn and practice new skills
- Gain confidence
- Helps your job search:
- Gain (unpaid) work experience – great for a resume if you have no recent work experience, or if you are new to Canadian workplace culture
- Networking – increase the number of people you are connected to, which can increase your chance to learn of employment opportunities
- Potential to gain a Reference from your volunteer coordinator / supervisor
This Employment Ontario project is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.