For full directory of "How to" listings on different topics, see here
Overview of programs ranging from basic education and literacy to workforce preparation, career training and job search assistance programs, and directs to other related listings in this directory
ADULT LITERACY & BASIC EDUCATION
Reading, writing, speaking, communication, computation and/or problem solving skills:
- for adults who cannot read or write at a functional level) see Adult Literacy Programs here
- to strengthen functional skills in these areas see Adult Basic Education programs here
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- to complete at locations in Halton, see here
PREPARING & TRAINING FOR THE WORKFORCE
Prevocational Training (for people with disabilities, including mental health issues)
Instruction and/or counselling to develop:
- physical and emotional tolerance for work demands and pressures
- personal-social behaviours
- basic manual, academic and communications skills needed to acquire basic job skills
- see Prevocational Training programs here
Career Awareness and Counselling
- Career Awareness (provides information and data about various industries and professions): see here
- Career Counselling (provides information and guidance in evaluating aptitude, abilities and interests, to choose a vocation or career and select the type of training): see here
Vocational Assessment
Tests skills, abilities, interests, personality traits and other attributes for success in different occupational areas or specific positions
- may include programs that allow people to try out jobs for short periods of time to see if there's a 'fit' and, for people with disabilities, determine what supports might be needed to succeed if hired
- for programs see here
Job Training
- Vocational Education, see here
- On the Job Training, see here
- Computer and Related Technology Classes, see here
Work Experience/Internship Programs
Apprenticeship
Job training expense assistance
Financial assistance or loans to help people pay for tuition, books, living expenses, transportation, disability supports, assistance in caring for dependents etc.
- for programs see here
JOB SEARCH
Pre-job Guidance
Provides skills in preparing a resume, job application letters/questionnaires, answering job ads and taking employment tests, tips on appropriate dress, personal appearance and interview techniques, etc.)
- for programs see here
Comprehensive Job Assistance Centres
One-stop centres that may include job counselling, testing and assessment, pre-job guidance, job matching and referral, labour market and career information, information on financial aid for education and training, and referral for job training, transportation, child care, personal and financial counselling, etc.
- for programs see here
Specialized Job Assistance Centres:
Disability-related programs:
- Comprehensive Disability-related Programs, see here
- Supported Employment (job coach works side-by-side with client in workplace), see here
- Centre-based Employment (separate and supported work centres for those with disabilities), see here
Ex-offender Employment Programs, see here
Immigrant/refugee Employment Programs, see here
Indigenous Employment Programs, see here
Summer Employment Programs, see here
Vocational Rehabilitation (for people with disabilities, emotional problems or history of substance abuse), see here
Youth Employment Programs, see here
Brampton, ON, L6W 4N6
- mental health and addictions services
- gaming and gambling awareness
- Healthy Babies Healthy Children
- Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program
- diabetes awareness
- K-12 education initiatives
- post-secondary education
- employment programs
- educational and cultural camps
- Métis languages initiatives
- housing stabilization and homeless program
- housing and homeowner support
Community Wellbeing -- educational activities for children and youth and their families
Hamilton, ON, L8L 2X6
Provides navigation and support to urban Indigenous youth who are unemployed or underemployed and ready to gain confidence and skills with their career goals.
Services include:
- Individual career counselling and coaching
- Resume and cover letter assistance
- Interview coaching
- Action plan development
- Job search assistance
- Stay-in-School initiatives and retention supports
- Apprenticeship information and support
- Entrepreneurship information and support
Hamilton, ON, L8N 1E7
Employment resources and coaching to help people with disabilities to find sustainable employment in Ontario:
- assessment of skills, interests and abilities
- match candidates and employers and provide retention supports
- job search strategies and support, including resume development and interview preparation
- information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment opportunities
- help in maintaining employment information and referral to other employment and community services
Better Jobs Ontario -- skills training and financial support for laid-off workers
Services for employers -- help in identifying human resource skills requirements
- matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
- support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention
Guelph, ON, N1E 5C3
A counsellor will assist all urban Indigenous people in the region, status and non-status Métis, Inuit, and First Nations people with Apatisiwin funding to assist with employment supports and skill development.
Offers Employment Ontario Services and Apatisiwin Services.
Hamilton, ON, L8H 3P5
Assists Indigenous families in providing the best opportunities for the healthy development of children 0-6 years of age through education, family home visits, service coordination, and referrals.
- Professional peer counselling
- Education and support programs
- Cultural practices and teachings
- Breastfeeding education and support
- Pre/post-natal care
- Nutrition
- Growth and child development assessments
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) information
- Bonding
- Building self-esteem and life skills
- Health and safety
Hamilton, ON, L8H 3Y7
Assists Indigenous families in providing the best opportunities for the healthy development of children 0-6 years of age through education, family home visits, service coordination, and referrals.
- Professional peer counselling
- Education and support programs
- Cultural practices and teachings
- Breastfeeding education and support
- Pre/post-natal care
- Nutrition
- Growth and child development assessments
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) information
- Bonding
- Building self-esteem and life skills
- Health and safety
Hamilton, ON, L8H 3Y7
Program that supports urban Indigenous youth to gain education, experience, and skills to improve employability and/or achieve and maintain meaningful employment.
Program includes:
- Job Search
- Skills Enhancements
- Stay in School Initiative
Hamilton, ON, L8H 3Y7
Provides services to help mother-led families earn college diplomas, start careers, and achieve economic self-sufficiency. Goal-oriented case management, cultural teachings, parent support, and trauma counselling is provided to participants throughout the program. The Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound program also helps locate permanent, affordable housing and subsidized childcare (if available), allowing participants to focus on the completion of a 2-year college diploma or apprenticeship.
Hamilton, ON, L8K 1W2
Employment resources and coaching to help people with disabilities to find sustainable employment in Ontario:
- assessment of skills, interests and abilities
- match candidates and employers and provide retention supports
- job search strategies and support, including resume development and interview preparation
- information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment opportunities
- help in maintaining employment information and referral to other employment and community services
Better Jobs Ontario -- skills training and financial support for laid-off workers
Services for employers -- help in identifying human resource skills requirements
- matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
- support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention
Hamilton, ON, L9C 3A6
Comprehensive employment and job search services
- assessment of skills, interests and experience
- job search strategies, including resume preparation
- information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment and training opportunities
- on-the-job training, work experience
- help in maintaining employment
- information and referral to other employment and community services
Better Jobs Ontario
- skills training and financial support for laid-off workers
Services for employers
- help in identifying human resource skills requirements, matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
- support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention
Canada-Ontario Job Grant
- financial support for individual employers to purchase training for their employees
- available to small, medium and large businesses planning to deliver short-term training for existing or new employees
Toronto, ON, M6M 4R3
Maajiishikatoong Zoong Mnidoowin - Building Strong Spirits
Preschool Program for young Aboriginal children where they learn and play experiences focused on health, nutrition, physical development, Aboriginal culture and traditions, and prepare for school, capacity 16 for each session
Assists Indigenous families in providing the best opportunities for the healthy development of children 0-6 years of age through education, family home visits, service coordination, and referrals.
- Professional peer counselling
- Education and support programs
- Cultural practices and teachings
- Breastfeeding education and support
- Pre/post-natal care
- Nutrition
- Growth and child development assessments
- Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) information
- Bonding
- Building self-esteem and life skills
- Health and safety
Hamilton, ON, L8T 1R9
- assessment of skills, interests and abilities
- match candidates and employers and provide retention supports
- job search strategies and support, including resume development and interview preparation
- information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment opportunities
- help in maintaining employment
- information and referral to other employment and community services
Services for employers -- help in identifying human resource skills requirements
- matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
- support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention
Toronto, ON, M5V 3L7
Major programs include:
Healthy Child Development Section
- Community Action Program for Children (CAPC)
- Canada's Prenatal Nutrition Program (CPNP)
- Aboriginal Head Start Program (AHS)
- AIDS Community Action Program
- Hepatitis C Prevention and Community-Based Support Fund
- Canadian Diabetes Strategy
- Healthy Living Program
- Works to increase Canada's preparedness for and ability to respond to any public health emergency, including pandemic influenza
Toronto, ON, M3J 0K2
Centralized access to employment training programs focused on trades and construction
- information sessions
- apprenticeship readiness training
- access to job opportunities
- mentor and mentee opportunities
- construction industry skills program
NexGen Builders Academy 16 week part-time program
- access to construction job and internship opportunities
- professional development and micro-credentials
- career exploration and job coaching
- union intake assessment and test preparation
- opportunity to access financial support
Newcomer Pathways into Construction
- capacity building support to assist newcomers in overcoming barriers to entering the construction industry
Provides training and employment opportunities to job seekers, incumbent workers and employers through a partnership-driven approach
Skills Development Fund Training Stream
- projects support hiring, training, and upskilling to jobseekers, apprentices, and workers
Skills Development Fund Capital Stream
- supports organizations with upgrades or construction of training centres in high-demand jobs, like the skilled trades
Toronto, ON, M5A 2E5
Resource centre
- crisis intervention
- information and referral
- urban orientation
- community outreach
- food programs
Indigenous Healthy Babies Healthy Children
- home visits for families with children birth-6 years
- auntie approach
- prenatal and postpartum support
- early education support, links to community resources and referrals
Pimaatsiwin -- drop-in for mothers and children birth-6 years
- parenting classes
- prenatal programs
- community kitchen, healthy families training and workshops
Trauma Support -- 416-963-9963 ext 249
- case management
- peer support
- peer-led support circles
- trauma counselling
Community and Family Wellness Support
- support, counselling and referrals specializing in legal assistance
- ending violence and general assistance
Cultural programming
- women's and youth hand drumming, arts and crafts, beading
- Full Moon Ceremonies, Traditional feasts
- Ojibwe language class
- fitness programs
- cultural traditions, crafts, support groups, speakers
Housing Program
- information and referral
- assistance finding and accessing safe, stable housing
Investing in Women's Futures
- self-employment and pre-employment training program
- includes skill-building workshops, educational bridging programs, traditional counselling and activities
- dress for success program
Mobility for Good -- free phones and subsidized plans to Indigenous women at risk or surviving violence, in partnership with Telus
Toronto, ON, M5A 2P9
Métis Training Programs - Provide a comprehensive suite of employment programs and services that include career counselling, employment readiness training, wage subsidies, apprenticeship support, mobility assistance, self-employment, youth initiatives and services for clients with disabilities
Toronto, ON, M4M 1R4
Maajiishikatoong Zoong Mnidoowin - Building Strong Spirits
Preschool Program for young Aboriginal children where they learn and play experiences focused on health, nutrition, physical development, Aboriginal culture and traditions, and prepare for school, capacity 16 for each session
Toronto, ON, M6E 2A2
Maajiishikatoong Zoong Mnidoowin - Building Strong Spirits
Preschool Program for young Aboriginal children where they learn and play experiences focused on health, nutrition, physical development, Aboriginal culture and traditions, and prepare for school, capacity 16 for each session
Toronto, ON, M2N 5N8
Academic, commercial and technical, day and night, credit and general interest classes
- after school programs, child care, food programs
- adult education and services
- English as a Second Language (ESL), literacy, citizenship and heritage language classes
- French immersion
- International Baccalaureate
- special education including education programs for children and youth 14-21 years with developmental disabilities
- support services
Adult Education and Services: academic upgrading, day schools
- pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship programs
- employment services
- ESL resource centres and Enhanced Language Training (ELT)
- participates in LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) in English, upon assessment by YMCA of Greater Toronto -- see separate entry
- Essential Skills Upgrading (Literacy and Basic Skills, LBS)
- Learning4Life, adult general interest courses
- newcomer services
- reception centers for immigrants and refugees -- see separate entries
Alternative Schools Program: flexible learning environments to meet student's needs
- list of elementary schools
- list of secondary schools
Metropolitan Toronto School for the Deaf: elementary school that operates completely in American Sign Language (ASL)
Support Services: guidance counselling
- academic counselling
- home instruction
- interpreting services for families and schools
- psychiatry, psychology, and social work
- reading and speech correction
- transportation for persons with physical disabilities
- Parenting and Family Literacy Centres, 416-394-2104
- youth alienation programs include advocacy, outreach to youth in community agencies and shelters
- all services may not be available in all locations
- day school program
- secondary credit courses offered through the Internet
- partnership with Ministry of Education
Next-Steps Employment Centre: see separate entries
For more information see branch listings
Kitchener, ON, N2C 1V5
Spirit Bundles: The Spirit Bundles program provides essential items to local Indigenous families during the pandemic.
Wellness and Healing: Provide traditional, spiritual, and cultural healing and wellness activities to the urban Indigenous community, with access to traditional knowledge keepers.
EarlyON: Child-centred, engaging programs and services for all children from birth to six years of age, and their families.
Employment Services: Employment, education, and training services to all eligible Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
Indigenous Tech Mentorship and Employment: Mentorship program aims to fill employment gaps in Indigenous representation in the teach sector. This is accomplished by our development of a series of processes and training that can equip an Indigenous participants with the required skills and training to be employable in an entry level position in the tech sector.
Kitchener, ON, N2C 1V5
Employment resources and coaching to find sustainable employment in Ontario
- assessment of skills, interests and abilities
- job search strategies and support, including resume development and interview preparation
- information about careers and occupations, local labour market, employment opportunities
- help in maintaining employment
- information and referral to other employment and community services
Better Jobs Ontario
Skills training and financial support for unemployed workers
- training program must demonstrate good job prospects
- financial support based on need - may include tuition, instructional costs, books, transportation and/or a basic living allowance
Services for employers
- offers help in identifying human resource skills requirements
- matching of workplace needs to workers' skills, capabilities, interests and experience
- support for developing on-the-job training plans and monitoring of placements to support retention
All services at this site can be tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous Peoples
Kitchener, ON, N2H 2M2
