Employment Programs

Programs support labour market demands in our region.

Government and Employment Service Provider programs provide job seekers with an opportunity to train for in-demand jobs in high-demand industries, prepare for work, find meaningful jobs that offer advancement options, and access continued employment support through their first year of employment. Programs also offer employers a way to access training that will advance the skills of their current workforce and find skilled workers.

Our programs offer unemployed, underemployed (20 hours or less), or laid off workers free skills training and employment services to ensure individuals find the right job fit and supports that lead to successful and long-lasting careers.

The following government funded programs are available in Ontario:

|  BETTER JOBS ONTARIO

Receive education and financial support when you train for a new career. Great for people who would like to rejoin the workforce or who may face challenges finding stable jobs such as gig workers, youth and people on social assistance.
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|  PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY

4-weeks of training for an entry-level job in Agriculture, Construction, Manufacturing or Food Service. Includes a 5-week paid job placement.
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|  CANADA-ONTARIO JOB GRANT 

This government-funded program provides opportunities for employers, individually or in groups, to invest in their workforce, with help from the government.
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Employment Service Provider Programs

Service Providers across the Muskoka-Kawarthas region offer additional programs based on local demographic needs.

|  D-4: DREAM, DISCOVER, DARE, DO

This 8-week pre-employment program helps individuals to engage, create and be actively involved in developing their own employment pathway. Job seekers will develop a better understanding of their own knowledge, skills, abilities and other attributes that connect them to the job market. This program takes a client-centered approach in a supportive and immersive environment and includes Psychological First-Aid training to help job seekers, manage stress, loss, trauma, grief and learn to build self-care resiliency.

Concurrently, this D-4 program will engage employers in workplace stability training (Bridges Out of Poverty).

The D-4 program is open to individuals living in City of Kawartha Lakes and delivered by VCCS Employment Services.

Contact: 705-328-0180   |   info@vcss.work
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|  GETTING AHEAD – BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY

In this 16-week outreach program, participants will build relationships build relationships, have meals together, build resources, engage in their community, learn to create stability, build a set of tools and resources that move themselves and their family out of poverty. Participants will learn to evaluate themselves and their situations, choose behaviours, make plans to stabilize their environments, and build resources for a better life.

This program is open to individuals living in City of Kawartha Lakes.

Contact: 705-328-0180   |   info@vcss.work
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|  YOUTH PROGRAM (Ages 17-29)

Case Managers will support their clients in a variety of formats including mentoring, counselling, referrals, retention planning, career exploration, and workshops developed for youth.  Together with staff, youth will develop a personal action plan with measurable and realistic goals that are attached to pay points. Pay points could be set at goals that include completing a short-term training, getting an interview, reaching out to a community support. Specific to each client, these goals or pay points are identified as things that will move this client closer to employment.

This program is open to individuals living in the District of Muskoka.

Contact:  705-687-6350  |  janet@employmentnorth.com
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|  LEARNING THROUGH PLAY (Ages 17-29)

This program offers a series of interactive sessions of ‘play’ to provide a less academic approach to learning new skills and preparing for the workplace.

Activities include:

• Axe Throwing (Learning, listening, doing)
• Tree Top Trekking (Overcoming barriers and pre-conceived limitations)
• Orienteering Hike (Connecting with mindfulness and self-awareness)
• Escape Room (Team building)
• Strengths Quest (Building on individual strengths)

Following the activities, participants will review the learning they discovered through play and how it can apply to real life workplace situations.

Additional online and in-house training components are available to enhance the experience, including Career Dimensions, time management, developing an elevator speech, etc.

This program is open to individuals living in the District of Muskoka.

Contact:  705-787-0349 ext. 3024  |  saleem.hall@sm.ymca.ca
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|  MOMENTUM

This 3-week in-person program assists youth in career goals with an apprenticeship stream for those who are interested. Following the program, 1-1 job search support  and weekly drop-in sessions continue. Other support includes workshops, virtual reality, portfolio development, goal setting, community supports, short-term certificate training, and making employer connections.

This program is offered to individuals living in City and County of Peterborough.

Contact: 705-748-9110 ext. 229   |  kristen@epcjobs.ca
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|  WOMEN ADVANCING VALUED ENGAGEMENT (WAVE)

This 6-week empowerment program for women teaches skills required to be mentally ready to return to work, maintain employment, and excel in the workplace. Participants will learn assertiveness, self-advocacy, financial literacy, self-care, and setting healthy boundaries. One-day per week is set aside for visits to partnering agencies and includes a meal out in the community. Participants will develop a self-care/retention plan before the course is completed.

This program is offered to individuals living in City and County of Peterborough.

Contact: 705-748-4070   |   findwork@ceo.ymca.ca
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|  EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS WORKSHOPS

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: 705-748-4070   |    mkes@flemingcollege.ca
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How to Access to Employment Programs

Government funded programs are delivered by Ontario employment service providers. Click on a region below to find your nearest employment service provider.

Haliburton County    |    City of Kawartha Lakes    |    District of Muskoka
Northumberland County    |    City and County of Peterborough    |    All Ontario regions