A helping hand during your job search -- services in the Greater Toronto Area

Searching for a job can be a stressful undertaking especially during times of economic uncertainty. Do you make comments to yourself like:

“I don’t know where to start to find a job”
“I’m sending out resumes and getting no replies”
“I can get interviews, but no job offers”
“Where can I get new skills training?”
“There are no jobs out there”
“What can I do about being over/under qualified?”
“Where can I get information on a specific industry?”
“My education isn’t considered relevant in Canada and I don’t know what do”

Sound familiar?

To help with these challenges, there are some great resources available to all unemployed Ontarians.  All you need to do is visit your local Employment Ontario centre for assistance with your job search; you will find your local (tax payer funded) centres on the Employment Ontario website.

These centres offer many programs and services covering a variety of subjects including upgrading computer skills, resume assistance, interview skills, career counselling, communication skills, job search support, resource material and access to computers, fax machines and photocopiers. Best of all, they are FREE.

The Greater Toronto Area has a number of organizations that offer these services. Some are tied in to a certain demographic, culture or gender. Basically, if you are human and have a pulse you can find assistance in your job search. It doesn’t matter what your education level is, where you came from, your age or what language you speak – there are programs and organizations that can support you.

These include programs that support:

- People with Disabilities
- Newcomers
- Internationally Trained Professionals
- Youth
- People on Social Assistance
- English as a Second Language
- Apprenticeship Training
- Second Careers
- High School Credit Programs
- and everything else in between

Many of these organizations have been around for years. They have knowledgeable staff assisting people every day. So, if you are just looking for resume help, some career advice or in-depth support, check out what these programs can offer you.

Now remember this is your  job search. You will get out of it what you put into it. And after all, isn’t it better to have an extra set of eyes/hands involved in your job search, rather than doing it alone?

Here are some of the organizations who provide these services:

• JVS Toronto – Employment Services
• vpi inc.
• The Centre for Education & Training
• COSTI
• ACCES Employment
• YMCA – Employment, Education and Training Services
• YWCA Toronto – Employment and Training
• Jamaican Canadian Association (JCA) – Employment Program
• Polycultural Immigrant & Community Services  – Employment and Job Preparation Programs
• Toronto District School Board – Next Steps Employment Centres
• St. Stephen’s –  Job House
• Tropicana Community Services – AYCE Employment Services
• Goodwill — Employment Services

For more organisations, dial 211 or check out 211.ca

For tips on how to make the best of your employment service, check out this blog post from earlier this year.

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