Program FAQs

Employment Service

  • Does using LEAP’s Services cost anything?

    All of LEAP’s services are completely FREE! LEAP is funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development to administer Employment Services, Youth Job Connection, Youth Job Connection-Summer and Second Career at no cost to you.

  • What is Employment Service and how can it help me?

    Employment Service allows you to work one on one with a trained Employment Advisor. They will assist you with your job search and administer personalized workshops as needed that will help you reach your goals. This includes weekly meetings and check-ins, help with job searching and applications (resumes, cover letters, etc.) as well as sending you any job postings that might be of interest to you. You will always get to choose which jobs you apply for.

    If you are interested in Employment Services, please call or stop by the LEAP office to schedule an intake and assessment appointment!

  • Can anyone register for Employment Services?

    To be eligible for employment services, you must be unemployed (or working fewer than 20 hours per week), 18 years of age or older, a resident of Ontario, and not currently enrolled in education.

  • How do I register?

     Registering with LEAP is simple! Come in to meet with an Employment Advisor at any time or call and make an appointment. You will be asked to fill out a registration form and then have a one-on-one intake and assessment meeting with your Employment Advisor to discuss your employment and training goals.

  • How long will registration take?

    Registration takes approximately 30-45 minutes.

  • What do I do once I’m registered? 

    Once you’re registered, your Employment Advisor will make appointments with you to help you take steps towards your employment and/or training goals. They will also send you job postings that may be of interest to you based on your goals. You will always be in control of which jobs you apply to. Your appointments will vary based on what your goals are. 

Second Career

  • What is Second Career and is it for me?

    Second Career is a program for recently laid-off, unemployed workers for which long-term skills training is the most appropriate intervention to transition them into high-skill, high demand occupations in the local labour market.

    You must come into the LEAP office to apply.

    • First, you will have an intake and assessment completed during which an Employment Advisor will assess your suitability for this program.

    To be eligible for Second Career you must:

    • have been laid off on or after, January 1, 2005;
    • be unemployed or working an interim job as defined by Second Career;
    • be a resident of Ontario
    • be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident legally authorized to work in Canada; and
    • demonstrate occupational demand for the skills training request with evidence of good employment prospects locally or within Ontario

    Several factors, including additional eligibility criteria, are considered when the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development determines who will receive funding. LEAP is here to assist you with the application process, but does not determine if you will receive funding. 

    The following are all important components that applicants must identify, research and demonstrate as part of their application process. Once their application is completed, their Employment Advisor will submit it to the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development for review and approval.

    • Active job search
    • Length of unemployment
    • Education background
    • Work history
    • Labour market prospects
    • Training request
    • Experience and occupational skills

Youth Job Connection and Youth Job Connection – Summer

  • What am I required to do throughout a placement? 
    • The employer will have to be both eligible and suitable for the program (outlined above)
    • The employer will be required to complete the Employer Registration Form, complete a health and safety checklist with your Employment Advisor, and complete a training plan with your Employment Advisor.
    • Your Employment Advisor will notify LEAP clients who may be interested in working for your business/organization and can arrange interviews on your behalf. If you decide you would like to proceed with the individual you interviewed, an Employment Advisor will contact you to complete the forms mentioned above.
    • You are required to complete the job support and training for the individual as per contract duties and training plan, provide LEAP with feedback regarding the individual in the form of regular follow ups, follow OHSA regulations, and remit payroll information in a timely manner.
  • Is it an apprenticeship or a placement?
    • It can be both. Employers who are in the trades may do a placement with an individual who is interested in becoming an apprentice. If the employer chooses to register them as an apprentice with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, there are additional incentive bonuses (see AESB).
    • A placement is simply on the job training and support for a client and the employer. The client is placed on your payroll as a regular employee. The employer will remit payroll to LEAP and the employer will then be reimbursed based on their placement contract. Your Employment Advisor will have scheduled monitors with both the employer and client to ensure things are running smoothly or address any issues that may arise.
  • What incentives can I receive?
    • Employers may be eligible to receive up to $6000 in training incentives when they hire a LEAP client for individuals who are suitable and who qualify. Each placement incentive amount is negotiated with the employer prior to contract signing.
    • Employers who are able to register apprentices may also be eligible for the Apprenticeship Employer Signing Bonus (AESB) which is $2000 of additional incentives. Contact LEAP for further information.
  • What do I have to do to receive incentives? Am I suitable and eligible?
    • To participate in placements, employers must:
      • Be licensed to operate in Ontario
      • Comply with all applicable legislation, including federal/provincial human rights legislation, regulations, and any other relevant standards, Occupational Health and Safety Act, Employment Standards Act, freedom of information and protection of privacy legislation.
      • The Employment Service Placement position must be in Ontario
      • Maintain appropriate WSIB or alternate workplace safety insurance coverage and have adequate third-party general liability insurance 
      • NOT hire his or her immediate family members, such as parent, spouse, sibling or child as a trainee;
      •  NOT be receiving government funds from any other source for the same training placement;
      • NOT use placement services to replace existing or laid-off employees
      • NOT be an EO Employment Service service provider.
    • As well, employers must commit to:
      • Developing a relevant training plan that will help the participants achieve their employment goal and the help the employer achieve their business goals, in conjunction with the service provider and participant
      • Providing feedback and assessments of a participant’s skills level, where required
      •  Having the potential for long-term employment/contract position for the participant post placement
      •  Demonstrating the ability to provide the participant with adequate supervision and the training/work experience described in the Employment Service Training Plan
      • Placing the participant on the company’s payroll and providing the same employment terms, conditions, and benefits as for all regular employees
  • Are there supports available for me in the YJC and YJC-S Programs?

    There are three categories of participant supports: 

    1. Participant Financial Support 

    • E.g. work clothing, tools/equipment, dependent care, transportation costs, etc. 

    2. Pre-Employment Service Stipend

    • Paid workshop hours 

    3. Training/Skills Enhancement Support 

    • E.g. WHMIS, Smart Serve, Safe Food Handler’s Certificate, etc.
  • Who pays me when I’m on a job placement?

    While on a job placement, the participant is employed by the employer and is to be treated as any other employee. As employees, participants must be paid at least minimum wage ($14.25 on October 1, 2020) by the employer. LEAP will then reimburse the employer.

  • What are my options for job placements?

    We work with many local businesses in the community which support our placement programs. Job placements are based on each individual youth’s interests, and LEAP is here to help you navigate and achieve your goals. LEAP’s mission is to ensure that the participant is matched with a suitable job (and employer) that aligns with the youth’s goals. 

  • What if I don’t complete the mandatory 60 hours (YJC) or 20 hours (YJCS)?

    If the participant does not complete the mandatory 60 (or 20) hours, they will not move on to the placement portion of the program. Youth will be paid for the hours that they have completed. Youth who do not complete the program are allowed to re-enroll in the program at a later date if they choose.

  • Do I have to complete all the pre-employment hours before being put on a placement?

    Yes. Participants must complete all pre-employment services to develop job readiness skills and to prepare for a job placement. Youth in the YJC program must complete at least 60 hours of pre-employment workshops and youth in the YJCS program must complete at least 20 hours of workshops before proceeding to a job placement.

  • What happens after I complete the pre-employment workshops?

    If you successfully complete the program, you will be placed on a job placement. Placements offer a range of services that will support matching the youth with job opportunities that align with their employment and career goals. In addition, this service component offers young people employment opportunities that can build work experience, create direct linkages to longer-term jobs and careers, or support youth in making decisions with respect to future education and training.