News Release


More Access To Second Career In Hamilton Area

McGuinty Government Expands Opportunities To Keep Ontarians Working

November 27, 2008

Ontario has expanded access to Second Career to help more laid-off workers get skills training for high-demand jobs in their communities.

The recently announced changes to Second Career were highlighted today at an open house at Mohawk College. These changes will mean more laid-off workers can take advantage of the training opportunities available and build new skills for the careers of the future.

Second Career provides opportunities for :

  • Workers laid off as far back as January 1, 2005
  • Laid-off workers who have taken an interim job to make ends meet
  • Short-term training options (less than six months) for laid-off workers who are not eligible for Employment Insurance
  • Additional financial assistance in some instances to cover expenses for the cost of academic upgrading, living away from home while participating in training, and dependent care.

Investing in skills training is a key part of the government's five-point economic plan – an economic stimulus that is helping families and businesses deal with the challenges of today's economy.

Quotes

"We've expanded access to Second Career so that more Ontarians have the opportunities and skills for success, and are working in well-paying jobs in a period of economic uncertainty," said John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Minister Milloy with Sophia Aggelonitis, Rosemary Knechtel and Zoltan Furmann
Minister Milloy with Sophia Aggelonitis (MPP for Hamilton Mountain), Rosemary Knechtel (Acting President of Mohawk College) and Zoltan Furmann (Second Career student at Mohawk College).

"Expanding Second Career is an important step in Hamilton's future economic development," said Sophia Aggelonitis, MPP for Hamilton Mountain. "Not only will this provide Hamiltonians with additional skill sets and greater opportunities, but this well-trained workforce will bring increased investment to Hamilton."

"Mohawk is proud to work with the Province of Ontario in helping laid-off workers return to college and retrain for new jobs and new careers," says Mohawk College Acting President Rosemary Knechtel.

Quick Facts

 
  • Through Second Career, announced in the 2008 Budget, Ontario is investing $355 million to help 20,000 laid-off workers make the transition to well-paying jobs.
  • Second Career is a key part of the $2 billion Skills to Jobs Action plan that includes a number of employment assistance programs offered through Employment Ontario.
  • Since 2003, the Ontario economy has created more than half a million net new jobs.
  • Employment Ontario provides training and employment services to more than 900,000 people annually.

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