Ontario Skills Development VS. Second Career

Eligible clients must meet the definition of “insured participant” as defined by Section 58 of the EI Act (i.e. clients must be EI claimants or EI Reachback).

The reason for separation from employment is not an eligibility factor.

Eligible clients are those who have been laid-off on or after January 1, 2005 including EI claimants, EI Reachback and Non-EI eligible, and who require skills training for employment in demand occupations in Ontario.

Individuals who have taken an interim job since their lay-off to make ends meet are also eligible for Second Career.

The skills training supported must provide individuals who are:

• EI active or EI Reachback clients with the skill set necessary for employment in an occupation listed in Skill Level B and equivalent occupations
• Non-EI eligible clients with the skill set for either NOC level B or NOC Level C occupations and equivalent occupations

For EI active or EI Reachback clients, skills training may be between 6 months and 2 years in duration.

For Non-EI eligible clients, skills training of any duration up to 2 years may be approved.

For EI active, EI Reachback and non-EI eligible clients, where necessary as a_ prerequisite for skills training, up to one year of academic upgrading may be approved.

As part of the OSD application, individuals must research a minimum of one publicly assisted college of applied arts and technology. If the applicant wants to take training at a private career college, he/she must research two schools including a publicly assisted college of applied arts and technology where feasible.

As part of the SC application, individuals must research a minimum of one publicly assisted college of applied arts and technology. If the applicant wants to take training at a private career college, he/she must research two schools including a publicly assisted college of applied arts and technology where feasible.