Youth Job Connection (Employment Ontario)
Youth Job Connection (Employment Ontario) is paid work run by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. You likely qualify if: Youth aged 15 to 29 living in Ontario; Eligible to work in Canada; Facing serious barriers to work (checked on the official page on October 4, 2026).
You likely qualify if: Youth aged 15 to 29 living in Ontario; Eligible to work in Canada; Facing serious barriers to work; Not working or in full-time school.
No deadline. The program runs all year. In late 2025 Ontario released 2026-2027 business plan templates for this program to the agencies that deliver it. The summer part focuses on summer jobs, plus part-time and after-school jobs during the school year.
Call 1-800-387-5656Send to someone who needs thisChecked on October 4, 2026 on the official page
We last read this on October 4, 2026. That was a while ago, so please check their own website before you rely on it, and tell us below if something changed.
A free Employment Ontario program for young people who face serious barriers to getting a job. You get paid pre-employment training, help to find a job, paid job placements with support, a mentor, and help to move into school or work. You are paid the Ontario minimum wage for training hours, and employers must pay you at least minimum wage during a placement. A summer part helps high school students get summer, part-time and after-school jobs.
Who qualifies
Youth aged 15 to 29 who live in Ontario, are eligible to work in Canada, face several or complex barriers to work (for example poverty, homelessness, little work experience, low education, disability, mental health challenges or being a recent newcomer), and are not working or in full-time school or training. Youth aged 15 to 18 must be legally excused from attending high school. The summer part is for high school students aged 15 to 18 facing challenging life circumstances who plan to stay in school or go on to college or university.
You likely qualify if:
- Youth aged 15 to 29 living in Ontario
- Eligible to work in Canada
- Facing serious barriers to work
- Not working or in full-time school
How to apply
- Apply on their website.
- Questions? [email protected]
- Come back here and tell us if it worked.
Other ways, if that one is quiet
Where else they are
Their website is eopg.labour.gov.on.ca/.../youth-job-connection.
Good to know
- CostFree
- Their stepsCall Employment Ontario at 1-800-387-5656 or use live chat, and ask for a Youth Job Connection provider near you in Toronto. You can also go straight to a Youth Job Connection agency, or ask an Employment Ontario job centre, a community agency or your school board to refer you. Meet the agency to check if you qualify, then take part in the paid pre-employment training. Get matched to a paid job placement, with support and a mentor, and help to go back to school or into work.
Did this way in answer?
Talk to a person: call 2-1-1, any time
Something wrong? Tell us
What to bring
- A visit with an agency to check you qualify
Dates
No deadline. The program runs all year. In late 2025 Ontario released 2026-2027 business plan templates for this program to the agencies that deliver it. The summer part focuses on summer jobs, plus part-time and after-school jobs during the school year.
Source
Checked on October 4, 2026 on the official pageRun by Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
We read this on their own website on October 4, 2026. Read from: eopg.labour.gov.on.ca/en/programs/you..., eopg.labour.gov.on.ca/en/programs/you..., eopg.labour.gov.on.ca/.../guidelines, eopg.labour.gov.on.ca/wp-content/uplo..., eopg.labour.gov.on.ca/wp-content/uplo..., eopg.labour.gov.on.ca/.../updates, eopg.labour.gov.on.ca/en/employment-o..., eopg.labour.gov.on.ca/wp-content/uplo..., ontario.ca/page/employment-ontario.
Program in Ontario-wide.
Jobs & careersTeens & youthStudents
For an AI assistant: this page as JSON. How to read this site.
Something wrong? Tell us
We read all of this on their own website. If something has changed, tell us here. It takes 20 seconds, needs no account, and nothing is deleted: the old fact stays until a person checks yours.