Career Choices

How Ontario’s Second Career Program Offers a Second Chance at Success

Are you thinking about retraining for a new career? You could be eligible for up to $28,000 towards your education.

Ontario is currently experiencing its biggest labour shortage in over a generation due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The economy may be on the long road to recovery, but there are still plenty of people struggling to get back on track.

That’s where Ontario’s Second Career program can help. It offers a second chance to anyone who’s been laid off, can’t find work in their industry, or wants to try a new career.

What’s the Second Career program?

It’s a Government of Ontario program that provides financial help to those looking to retrain for high-skill, high-demand jobs.

Originally, the program was only available to those who were laid off and having difficulty finding employment. But as part of a plan to improve Ontario’s workforce and recover from the effects of the pandemic, Second Career has been expanded to help more people find work.

What does a Second Career grant give you?

If you qualify to become a Second Career student, you can apply for up to $28,000 in financial aid to help pay for programs lasting up to 52 weeks.

Depending on your living situation and educational program, the grant money can cover:

  • tuition and instruction costs
    • textbooks and educational materials
    • travel and transportation expenses
    • basic living needs up to $500 a week
    • child care, help for dependents, and disability support

Do you qualify for Second Career?

The Second Career program benefits those who are jobless or out-of-work. You can qualify if you are:

  • laid off and not working
    • laid off and working temporary jobs to cover expenses
    • receiving Employment Insurance (or have in the past)
    • self-employed and want to pursue work in an in-demand career
    • new to Canada or on social assistance

Due to the pandemic, your application can be fast-tracked if you:

  • were laid off on or after March 1, 2020
    • lost you job due to COVID-19
    • have a high school education or less
    • want to retrain for a job in high-demand industries

Here’s how to apply for Second Career.

Take advantage of the Second Career grant by contacting us here at the Academy of Learning Career College. We’ll get in touch with you to:

  • explain Second Career and exactly how it works
    • help you choose a program that appeals to you
    • talk about the enrollment process with AOLCC
    • refer you to Employment Ontario to start the application process

When applying, you’ll need to provide:

  • how long you’ve been unemployed or working temporary jobs
    • how long you’ve been applying to jobs
    • examples of places and positions you’ve applied for
    • what level of education you have
    • your employment history, including how long you worked there
    • skills you’ve earned from previous jobs, and skills you want to learn
    • where you’d like to retrain for a new career
    • your personal income and household income
    • your current monthly expenses

If that seems like a lot, don’t worry. Both the AOLCC and Employment Ontario will provide you with the guidance you need.

Become a Second Career student at the Academy of Learning Career College.

For over 35 years, we’ve been providing our students with the job-ready knowledge and skills they need to be successful in today’s working world.

We offer more than 30 educational programs that cover the accounting, business, healthcare, and information technology industries. Designed to fit into your schedule, you can choose a start date, move at your own pace, and be ready to work in less than a year.

Contact us at Albion College today, and let’s get the Second Career program working for you.