Employment Programs
Strengthening our region's workforce
Employment programs support labour market demands in our region.
Whether you are a student, job seeker or employer, our government and employment service provider programs can help you find work, start a new career, boost in-demand job skills, and advance skills in the workplace.
For Job Seekers: Employment programs set unemployed, laid-off, or underemployed (20 hours or less) individuals on a pathway to meaningful, long-lasting work. Job seekers may qualify for financial support for education and training, work incentives, and free employability skills training.
For Employers: Employment programs help to advance employee skillsets within the workplaces, provide opportunities to receive hiring incentives, and open doors to untapped pools of skilled workers for hire.
All of our employment programs include free 1:1 employment support from service provider staff.
| Secondary Student Programs
Our Employment Facilitators deliver a series of virtual and in-person workshops to high school students to help them explore careers and find meaningful work or volunteer experiences. Teachers can schedule a time and workshop for in-class sessions.
View our workshops and details below!
Our Employment Facilitators work with secondary school teachers to deliver a series of free employability skills workshops to high school students to help them explore careers and find meaningful work or volunteer experiences. Workshops are presented to students online or in-person during class time and can be customized to focus on specific job sectors or interests.
Talk to an Employment Facilitator today to find out how teachers can help their students with short-term or long-term employment goals.
Contact us at mkestraining@flemingcollege.ca OR on the Live Chat
Workshop Topics
Preparing for Meaningful Employment
This workshop focuses on the importance of self-awareness in preparing for life after high school. Through interactive AI activities and discussions, students will explore how self-awareness contributes to building confidence — a crucial aspect of transitioning into meaningful employment. Students will think about their values, interests, and skills, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future.
World of Work
This workshop provides students with an understanding of the labour market and empowers them to make informed decisions about their future careers. Through interactive group activities, students will explore various career paths by researching market demands, education requirements, job duties, and skill sets needed for different professions. Students will learn how to use labour market information to gain valuable insights into current and emerging trends, enabling them to strategically plan their education goals and career pathways with confidence.
Job Search
Students will explore the benefits of gaining work experience and learn strategies to effectively search for work, both online and in person. This interactive session will demonstrate job search techniques and outline strategies to organize a job search that leads to meaningful work.
Resume Writing
This workshop offers an interactive session using artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create personalized resumes that showcase skills, achievements, and education. By leveraging AI and critical thinking, students will gain valuable insight into resume writing best practices that tailor their resumes to highlight their unique strengths and experiences.
Cover Letters
Students will explore the importance of adding a cover letter to their resume to showcase their unique skills, experiences, and passions in a way that resonates with employers and leaves a lasting impression. Students will learn how artificial intelligence tools can assist with creativity and efficiency as they prepare a cover letter during this workshop.
Interviews
This interactive workshop will equip students with interview tools and strategies to prepare them for interviews. They will explore how to identify strengths and skills, project confidence through body language, leverage artificial intelligence tools, learn the Situation-Task-Action-Result (STAR) method; and navigate the post-interview process.
| Government Funded Employment Programs
In partnership with the Government of Canada, the Government of Ontario offers funding to helps youth and job seekers get the training they need to achieve their employment goals and help employers continuously train their workforce to maintain a competitive advantage.
BETTER JOBS ONTARIO FUND
Receive education and financial support when you train for a new career. This funded program is great for people who would like to rejoin the workforce or those who face challenges finding stable or full-time jobs.
CANADA-ONTARIO JOB GRANT
Employers can access funds to train their employees (individuals or groups). Employee training can be part of onboarding new staff, preparing an employee for job advancement, or maintaining skills in the workplace.
CANADA SUMMER JOBS PROGRAM
Employers can help young people (aged 15 to 30 years) gain experience and develop employability skills while accessing minimum hourly wage subsidies up to 100% for non-profit employers and up to 50% for public and private sector employers. The call for applications opens the week of November 18, 2024. The deadline to apply is December 19, 2024.
| Employment Service Provider Programs
Service Providers across the Muskoka-Kawarthas region offer specialized programs for job seekers and employers based on local demographic and labour market needs.
For Job Seekers
Muskoka Region
This 8-day program will be lead from a strengths-based lens, using the Clifton Strengths assessment to frame participants’ unique strengths and demonstrate how they can positively influence their job search, employment, and retention components, all within four core themes:
- Career exploration for the mature worker – finding your job fit
- Continuous learning – technology and beyond – empowerment through education and Better Jobs Ontario
- Employment and the benefits in breaking social isolation and building confidence
- Beyond the myth of ageism – values and transferable skills
Participants will also debrief employment-related case studies to reinforce learning and identify how skills they have learned are transferable to real-life workplace situations.
CONTACT
YMCA of South Muskoka (Huntsville)
705-787-0349 ext.3024 | saleem.hall@sm.ymca.ca
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Kawartha Lakes Region
In this 8-week program (4-weeks of pre-employment training with a 4-week job placement), job seekers will develop a clear understanding of their skills, knowledge, and abilities to better connect with the job market, and will also benefit from a job placement opportunity.
Participants will receive incentive payments throughout the program for reaching milestones.
Program topics include:
- Career exploration and direction
- Team building and networking
- Building skills and confidence
- Certifications and training
- Professional resume building and interview practice
- Support for transitioning into the workforce
The D-4 program will be delivered throughout the rural communities in the City of Kawartha Lakes. The D4 next session starts August 12 in Bobcaygeon.
CONTACT
VCCS Employment Services
705-328-0180 | info@vcss.work
Peterborough Region
Getting Ahead in a Just Getting by World
This 8-week program is part of the Bridges out of Poverty framework and is designed to empower individuals living in poverty to take control of their lives, build resilience, and move from instability to stability. Offered in partnership with the City of Peterborough Social Services, Ontario Works recipients will be guided through the process of assessing their community, circumstances and resources. As the experts in their own lives, they will look at a plan on how to build those resources, healthy relationships with others, and begin the process of writing their own future stories.
Participants will:
- Gain a deeper understanding of their personal strengths, resources, and aspirations
- Develop essential life skills, including financial literacy, goal setting, and problem-solving
- Learn to navigate the hidden rules of economic class
- Build supportive networks and friendships, fostering a sense of community and belonging
- Create personalized, achievable plans for a more self-sufficient future, guided by their individual goals and aspirations
- Experience increased confidence, resilience, and agency in shaping their own lives and pursuing their dreams
CONTACT
YMCA of Peterborough Employment Services
705-748-4070 | findwork@ceo.ymca.ca
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This 8-week empowerment and peer support program for female-identifying individuals focuses on the skills required to be mentally ready to return to work, maintain employment, and excel in the workplace.
Participants will learn:
- Assertiveness, self-advocacy, and setting healthy boundaries
- Financial literacy and future goal setting
- Self-care and how to focus on mental health
- Exploration of training and employment opportunities
Program participants will visit partnering agencies, tour Fleming College and work 1:1 with the program facilitator to develop personalized success plans that include tools to maintain resiliency while looking for work and how to maintain employment after being hired.
To support your success in the program, financial support may be available for childcare costs, transportation, and meals.
CONTACT
YMCA Peterborough Employment Services
705-748-4070 | findwork@ceo.ymca.ca
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This 10-13 week innovative and action-oriented employment readiness program is for individuals who repeatedly return to employment services for help with finding work.
Through a strength-based, values driven approach, this participant-centered program helps people reconnect with their potential, take action, and live the lives they want to.
The program focuses on:
- Self-awareness, strengths, skills, and values to create a vision for the future
- Identifying and building communication skills, healthy interpersonal relationships, problem- solving skills, stress and money management skills and support dealing with change
- Learning and practicing critical life and employability skills
- Developing short- and long-term goals
- Development and involvement in a community project
This In Motion and Momentum program is available to individuals between ages 18 – 39.
CONTACT:
Employment Planning and Counselling
705-748-9110 ext. 229 | kristen@epcjobs.ca
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All Regions
Our half-day workshops prepare people for work by teaching skills such as time management, communication, customer service, problem solving, understanding yourself, resolving conflict, using technology in the workplace, and how to explore the job market.
These workshops are offered to individuals living in Haliburton, Kawartha Lakes, Muskoka, Northumberland and Peterborough regions.
Contact your nearest employment service provider or
connect with us by phone or e-mail at: 1-866-353-3536 | mkes@flemingcollege.ca
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For Employers
Muskoka Region
Community Living South Muskoka (CLSM) will host and participate in events where the CLSM Self-Advocate Group will present to the Muskoka community about the benefits of inclusive hiring.
Through the expertise of individuals with lived experience of disability, the CLSM Self-Advocates will present their employment successes and challenges to educate employers on inclusion and the value of hiring persons with disabilities.
Job Coach staff will work closely with the group of Self-Advocates, encouraging peer support and empowering them to tell their stories that will educate the community on the value of hiring someone with a disability.
Employers will also be informed about CLSM Employment Services and supports for employers who are hiring job seekers (i.e. job coaching, job carving, onboarding support, individualized training plans, accommodation support, and retention).
CLSM staff will engage in follow-up conversations with employers to gain feedback and explore future employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
CONTACT
Community Living South Muskoka
705-645-5494 | SNawrocki@clsm.on.ca
LEARN MORE ABOUT CLSM
Kawartha Lakes Region
This program engages employers in meaningful relationships focused on retention and opportunities for growth and development of both the employer and employee.
Employer Liaisons will work directly with employers to provide training, resources, information about community supports and employer specific retention strategies.
The program will focus on the following areas:
- Increasing awareness about the cost of retention and how VCCS can support with strategies for retention
- Increasing employer engagement in programs and services to support employee retention including:
- Workplace Stability Training
- on the job coaching,
- retention services
- training programs
- Increasing employer awareness of the supports and services available in their community and how they can access them to support the retention of their employees.
- Building long term relationships with employers to facilitate check-ins and follow up discussions about strategies for employee retention.
CONTACT
VCCS Employment Services
705-328-0180 | info@vcss.work
Northumberland Region
This monthly meeting program includes presentations and discussion periods for employers in Northumberland County. Sessions will focus on enhancing an employer’s hiring practices, onboarding, and employee retention, and offer coaching, information, and opportunities for employers to look at their current work environments and what they offer their employees.
Topics will include:
- Mental Health and Substance Use
- Using AI in Recruitment
- Bridges Out of Poverty for Employers
- Importance of employee training and retention in the current workforce
Sessions will encourage employers to share their successful job retention experiences, discuss ideas, and celebrate their successes with other employers.
CONTACT
Watton Employment Services
1-888-348-8854 or 905-372-1901 | info@watton.ca
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Peterborough Region
As an employer participant in this 4-module program, you will increase your knowledge and awareness of the benefits of providing fair and inclusive work environments.
Employer Liaisons will deliver short and practical 20–30-minute modules to employers based on their interest, and the specific needs of their workplace. Modules will highlight the business advantages of fostering a healthy and supportive work environment including improved reputation within the community, ability to attract new hires, increased retention and ensuring that job seekers and employers are on the same page about what makes a good workplace.
This program will include:
- Recruitment strategies
- Diversity and inclusion in the workplace
- Employee retention
- Mental health and wellness
Modules will align with the rewarded aspects of the MKES Employer Matrix and be offered to employers entering into Placement Agreements as well as any direct hires of YMCA clients.
CONTACT
YMCA of Peterborough Employment Services
705-748-4070 | findwork@ceo.ymca.ca
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Access to Programs
Government funded programs are delivered by Ontario employment service providers. Click on a region below to find your nearest employment service provider.
Are you looking for work
or a new career?
Talk to one of our employment coaches today who can help you find the right fit for you!
Click here to complete a form that will put you in touch with your nearest employment coach.
These Employment Service programs are funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.