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2nd Chance Employment Counselling

Employment Ontario

→GUELPH, FERGUS, RURAL WELLINGTON
www.2ndchance.ca

What:

  • Employment Resource Centre
  • Job Boards
  • Access to computers, internet, photocopying
  • Access to training programs
  • 1 to 1 Assistance
  • Training incentives for businesses

Who:

Job Seekers

When:

Fergus
Monday – Friday at 8:30am–4:00pm

Guelph—Norfolk Location
Monday – Friday at 8:30am–4:00pm

Guelph—Youth Resource Centre, Stone Road Mall
Monday – Closed
Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00am–4:00pm
Wednesday at 12:00pm–6:00pm

Where:

Fergus
160 St. David Street South, Unit 104

Guelph—Norfolk location
177 Norfolk Street

Guelph—Youth Resource Centre, Stone Road Mall
435 Stone Road West, 2nd Floor

Ask For:

Guelph and Fergus locations
(519) 823-2440


2nd Chance Employment Counselling

ways2work

→GUELPH
www.2ndchance.ca

What:

Group-based employability skills and work placement program

Who:

Youth up to the age of 30

When:

Monday – Friday at 8:30am–4:00pm

Where:

Guelph and Wellington County

Ask For:

(519) 823-2440


2nd Chance Employment Counselling

Women2Work

→GUELPH, RURAL WELLINGTON
www.2ndchance.ca

What:

Group-based employability skills and work placement program

Who:

Women of all ages with a disability

When:

Monday – Friday at 8:30am–4:00pm

Where:

Guelph and Wellington County

Ask For:

(519) 823-2440


Cambridge Career Connections EmployNext Services

John Howard Society of Waterloo–Wellington

→CAMBRIDGE, NORTH DUMFRIES
www.cambridgecareerconnections.com

What:

As an Employment Ontario service provider, we have free employment-related programs for job seekers, employers and educators.

For Job Seekers:
  • Assists job seekers to find and keep successful employment, training and apprenticeships
  • Connects job seekers to other community services and opportunities for overcoming barriers and life stabilization
  • Fully equipped and accessible resource room
  • Provides information and application assistance for Better Jobs Ontario funding for eligible participants
For Employers:
  • Job matching and placement services
  • Job boards, job fairs, and job marketing support
  • Incentives and supports for employment placements
  • Canada Ontario Job Grant for employee training and other training supports
  • Please call for more details on any of our programs or services

Who:

All ages are welcome

When:

Office hours: Monday – Friday at 8:30am–4:30pm

Where:

Cambridge
40 Ainslie Street South
(across the street from the bus terminal)

Langs
1145 Concession Road

Ayr
Variety of community settings

Ask For:

Employment Coordinator
(519) 622-0815 ext. 223
ccc@jhsww.ca


Conestoga Community Career Centre

Integrated Employment Services, Employment Ontario, EmployNext

→ WATERLOO, KITCHENER, NEW HAMBURG, ELMIRA, RURAL WELLINGTON, WELLESLEY, WILMOT
www.conestogac.on.ca/career-centre

What:

As part of Conestoga’s Talent Hub, the Community Career Centre provides employment services to community members for job search, career planning support, and training opportunities. Our experienced staff can open doors to help find the right fit for employment and training in line with the current labour market’s demands.

Services Include:
  • Individualized Job Search and Resume Assistance
  • Career Planning and Advisement
  • Connections to employers
  • Access to our Resource Centre and Virtual Job Board (MyCareer)
  • Referrals for Workplace Certifications relevant to today’s labour market
  • Better Jobs Ontario Funding Information and Application Support
  • Financial Incentives may be available for eligible employers and Job Seekers
  • Internationally Trained Immigrant Advisement & Credential Assessment
  • Post-Secondary Education Program Information/Registration
  • Trade/Apprenticeship financial incentives Information
  • Canada Ontario Job Grant for Employers

Who:

Job seekers and Employers looking to hire or access the Canada Ontario Job Grant

When:

Monday – Friday at 8:30am–4:30pm*

* Please contact us in advance to schedule an appointment.

Where:

Kitchener
Doon Campus Welcome Centre
299 Doon Valley Drive

Downtown Kitchener
Downtown Kitchener Campus Talent Hub
49 Frederick Street

Waterloo
332 Marsland Drive, 2nd floor

New Hamburg, Elmira, Wilmot and Wellesley contact us for details and to schedule an appointment

Ask For:

For information or to access the Community Career Centre, contact staff at (519) 885-0300 ext. 5226 or waterloocareercentre@conestogac.on.ca

For information other Talent Hub Employer or Student employment services at Conestoga, contact Talenthub@conestogac.on.ca

Appointments are available virtually and in person. Please inquire about appointment availability


Kinbridge Community Association

Newcomer Employment Outreach

→CAMBRIDGE
www.kinbridge.ca

What:

  • Resume support
  • Interview coaching
  • Group workshops and training
  • Referrals to other services
  • Referrals to employers (not guaranteed)

Who:

Adults 18+, eligible to work in Canada, Cambridge residents only

When:

Monday – Friday at 9:00am–4:00pm

Where:

Cambridge—200 Christopher Drive (and online)

Ask For:

Lily Magnus—Program Coordinator
(519) 496-5886, LilyM@kinbridge.ca

Intake/referral form: forms.office.com/r/fv1mzkRadF


KW Habilitation

Community and Employment Supports

→KITCHENER
www.kwhab.ca/services/employment/

What:

Job readiness education and training for adults who are interested in working toward competitive employment (minimum wage or better).

  • Workplace literacy
  • Workplace numeracy
  • Soft skills development (social and interpersonal)
  • Experiential learning opportunities in authentic work and community settings
  • Education may include bus training and on-site job coaching

Out and About Waterloo Region
The aim of Out and About WR is to connect you to your neighbourhood, to the things that are important to you in your local community. This includes recreation and leisure activities, learning opportunities, and volunteerism

Who:

Adults (18+ years)

When:

Contact us for more information

Where:

Kitchener—99 Ottawa Street South

Ask For:

Amy Haynes—Supervisor, Community and Employment Supports
(519) 744-6307 ext. 1213


KW Habilitation

KW Career Compass

→KITCHENER
www.kwhab.ca/kw-career-compass

What:

We assist Job Seekers to find meaningful work by matching interests, skills, and career goals. This individual approach helps job seekers find the perfect employment fit!

Create an Employment Plan:
Individualized supports to plan for all the steps in reaching employment goals

Job Readiness Coaching and Courses:
Career exploration, workshops, resume building, bus training and interview preparation

Experiential Learning Opportunities:
Authentic work and community settings to help identify individual interests and skill levels

Job Development:
Personalized plans to help match individuals with jobs that align with their skills and goals

Job Coaches:
On the job training and ongoing job retention and maintenance supports

Who:

Adults (18+ years) with barriers to employment

When:

Contact us for more information.

Where:

Kitchener—99 Ottawa Street South

Ask For:

Stacey Mitchel—Manager, Community and Employment Supports
(519) 744-6307 ext. 1252


KW Habilitation

LEG Up!

→KITCHENER
www.kwhab.ca/services/leg-up/

What:

Learning, Experience, Goals!

A learning and skill building program that provides small group learning and training geared towards adults seeking to enhance their skills for employment, volunteerism and independent living.

Who:

Adults 18+ with developmental disabilities.

When:

Sessions are offered throughout the year

Visit www.kwhab.ca/services/leg-up/ for registration information.

Where:

Kitchener—109 Ottawa Street South, Unit D

Ask For:

Annita Boer, Marc Seymour or Michelle Ennis—LEG Up! Instructors
(519) 208-2225
legup@kwhab.ca


KW Habilitation

YEP (Youth Exploring Possibilities)

→KITCHENER
www.kwhab.ca/services/youth-exploring-possibilities-yep/

What:

Programs offered:
YEP (Youth Exploring Possibilities) is open to youth with developmental disabilities between the ages of 13 and 25. This is an opportunity for youth to stay connected with their peers – year-round!

Activities are planned with all ages in mind, and when required, smaller groups are created to consider bringing youth who are closer in age together.

YEP Social:
focused on social activities like baking, exploring the community on the GRT, and other things based on suggestions from past participants. Offered throughout the year on evenings, weekends, PD Days and March Break.

YEP Skills:
6-week-long courses where learning focuses on skill building in a variety of areas, based on feedback from youth. Offered throughout the year.

YEP Summer:
for 9 weeks in July and August. Activities are held on weekdays and include community recreational activities, work readiness skills, fitness, and much more.

Who:

YEP Skills and YEP Social are open to youth (13–25 years) with developmental disabilities.

YEP Summer is open to youth (13–25 years) with developmental disabilities.

When:

Offered throughout the year on evenings, weekends, PD Days, and March Break.

See the “what” section above for program schedules.

Where:

Kitchener—99 Ottawa Street South

Ask For:

Amy Haynes—Supervisor, Community Supports
(519) 744-6307 ext. 1213


Starling Community Services (Lutherwood)

Employment Services

→CAMBRIDGE, GUELPH, KITCHENER
www.lutherwood.ca/employment

What:

  • Job search assistance, career exploration workshops and 1 to 1 support
  • Labour market information
  • Coaching, networking and mentorship opportunities
  • Connections to employers
  • Better Jobs Ontario funding information and applications
  • Apprenticeship information and support
  • Job boards and job search resources
  • Free access to fax, photocopier, computers and phones

Who:

Services are available to anyone of legal working age, living in Ontario and eligible to work in Canada seeking support with employment and/or training (Under 18 must be legally excused from attending school)

When:

Monday – Friday at 8:30am–4:30pm

Where:

Cambridge—35 Dickson Street

Guelph—89 Wyndham Street North

Kitchener—165 King Street East

Ask For:

Speak to our resource centre staff to determine the employment services program that would best meet your needs.

Cambridge—(519) 623-9380

Guelph—(519) 822-4141

Kitchener—(519) 743-2460


Starling Community Services (Lutherwood)

Getting Ahead in the Workplace

→CAMBRIDGE, KITCHENER, WATERLOO
www.lutherwood.ca/employment

What:

  • Youth-specific employment skill building program including 1 to 1 support, group workshops, and paid placement components
  • Workshops build both employment skills (ex. Resumes, cover letters, interviews, etc.) and personal wellbeing skills (ex. Personal finances, conflict resolution, professionalism, etc.)
  • Ideal for youth who need some extra time and assistance to break into the workforce

Who:

15–30 years of age (inclusive)

When:

Monday – Friday at 8:30am–4:30pm

Where:

Kitchener—165 King Street East

Ask For:

Speak to our resource centre staff to determine the employment services program that would best meet your needs.

Cambridge—(519) 623-9380

Kitchener—(519) 743-2460


Starling Community Services (Lutherwood)

Newcomer Career Support & Navigation 

→GUELPH, RURAL WELLINGTON
www.lutherwood.ca/employment

What:

  • Job Search Workshops for Newcomers, in person and online
  • Mentorship for internationally trained professionals to connect with volunteer mentors in their field
  • Information for immigrants about their occupational field in Canada, targeted resumes and cover letters, self-marketing, benefits of networking and other job search tips
  • Assistance to navigate the complex systems involved in accessing further education, training, apprenticeship and employment
  • Help determining eligibility and applying for credential evaluation
  • Support for Tigrinya and Amharic speakers to access employment services and navigate job search for finding and maintaining employment
  • Help for newcomer youth (15-30) to find local job opportunities and navigate the job search process through Job Search Workshops, coaching and developing connections with potential employers
  • Services available in multiple languages: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Pashto, Urdu, Tigrinya, Amharic, Tagalog and Ukrainian

Who:

Newcomers (Permanent Residents, Convention Refugees, Protected Persons) living in Guelph and Wellington County

When:

Monday – Friday at 8:30am–4:30pm

Where:

Guelph—89 Wyndham Street North, 3rd Floor

Ask For:

Speak to our Resource Centre staff to determine the employment services program that would best meet your needs.

Guelph—(519) 822-4141


March of Dimes Canada – SkillingUp Program

Newcomer Employment Outreach

→Virtual
www.skillingup.ca

What:

  • Free, self-paced digital skills training program
  • Focus and enhance employability for people with disabilities or employment barriers
Key Features:
  • Learn digital skills
  • Earn Microsoft certifications
  • Build confidence for tech-enabled workforce participation
  • Offers learning pathways from beginner to advanced levels
  • Includes job development support and virtual mentorships
  • No diagnosis disclosure is required

Who:

16+ years of age

When:

Days of the week and times: Virtual program – everyday

Monday – Friday at 9:00am–4:00pm

Where:

Online

Ask For:

Justine Wight—Program Coordinator
skillingup@marchofdimes.ca


Region of Waterloo

Employment Ontario (EO) Programs

→CAMBRIDGE, KITCHENER, WATERLOO
www.regionofwaterloo.ca

What:

  • Employment Ontario Service Provider
  • Help with resumes, interviews, job searching and accessing training
  • 1 to 1 support from an Employment Facilitator
  • Access to Job Development Services

Who:

All services are open to adults

When:

Employment Services:
Monday – Friday at 8:30am to 4:30pm

Available in person, in the community, online and by phone.

Resources are also available on our website at www.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/living-here/employment-support.aspx

Where:

Cambridge —150 Main Street

Kitchener —20 Weber Street

Waterloo —99 Regina Street South

Ask For:

Contact Person—Employment services
(519) 883-2101 ext. 5656


YMCA of Three Rivers

Employment Services

→CAMBRIDGE, KITCHENER
www.ymcaemploymentservices.ca

What:

  • Career exploration, 1 to 1 support
  • Job search assistance, workshops
  • Labour market information
  • Employment supports
  • Resource centre with computers, printers
  • Services for employers
  • Better Jobs Ontario

Who:

All are welcome

Cambridge office provides services in French

When:

Monday – Friday at 8:30am–4:30pm

Where:

Cambridge—250 Hespeler Road, 2nd Floor

Kitchener—800 King Street West, 3rd Floor

Ask For:

Cambridge—(226) 989-3381

Kitchener—(519) 504-2723