JOB CONNECT

Doing the job hunt? Out of work? Out of school? Pounding the pavement? At YMCA Employment and Career Services, we deliver the program JOB CONNECT where we can help you find a job. And our services are free!

Identify and set goals

Before you look for work, you need to know what you want to do. We'll help you by taking the time to get to know you and understand your needs

Achieve your goals

Once you understand what you want, how will you get it? We'll help you take steps toward getting and keeping a job.

Look for jobs in your community

You don't have to go far to get work. We have access to job leads, so we can help you find a job that's close to home.

Plan your job search

You want to make good use of your time and effort looking for a job. That means thinking ahead. We can help you plan an effective job search.

Market yourself to employers

A good résumé can help you get a great job. We'll guide you in writing your résumé, so you can present yourself well to potential employers.

Succeed in an interview

You can learn how to deliver a great interview. We'll help you polish your skills, so that you are confident and self-assured when meeting with a potential employer.

Train on the job or in school

We can help you with on-the-job training. We'll even help you go back to school to develop skills for a specific line of work.

About Job Connect

Description

Job Connect provides a streamlined service to assist unemployed people, especially youth, gain the skills and knowledge they need in order to find and keep real jobs. Services are available to youth across the province.

Through this program, people looking for work can obtain information on careers and occupations, the local job market, training opportunities, and job-search strategies.

Through this program, employers are able to find the right person for the job, and may reduce costs associated with training a new employee.

The program has three services

1. The information and referral service (IRS) is a community information resource where people looking for work can learn more about jobs, careers, the local labour market, training opportunities and job-search strategies. This is primarily a drop-in, self-directed service.
2. Employment planning and preparation (EPP) services help unemployed people establish goals and develop an action plan. People can use the resources of their local agency to work towards their goals either with the support of employment staff or with a group in a more structured environment.
3. Job development and placement service (JDPS) services help people looking for work follow their own action plan, by working on a job placement, working to develop skills related to career goals, or achieving secondary school credits.

Who is Eligible?

People who are out of work and not in school, and who want to learn more about the local job market, training opportunities, occupations, and skills that are in demand, are eligible for the program.

As the Information and Referral service is primarily walk-in, almost anyone can use it. Priority may be given to unemployed persons who are not in school or involved in other training.

Employment planning and preparation services help people who are at least 16 years old, out of school and out of work, and are not receiving Employment Insurance or Worker's Compensation Board benefits.

Job development and placement service participants must be at least 16 years of age, out of school and work, and not currently in a training program. If over 24 years of age, participants must also be receiving social assistance. As well, all participants must have previously developed a career action plan through employment planning and preparation services.

Employers, who operate a business in Ontario, who are looking to hire staff, and who are ready to provide on-the-job training or who are seeking people who are ready to work, may benefit from Job Connect.

For a list of the Job Connect Partners in our community, click here.

For more information, do not hesitate to contact us. We'll be pleased to answer your questions.