Better Jobs Ontario

Better Jobs Ontario (formerly Second Career) is a provincial government-funded program that provides financial support to help unemployed, underemployed or laid-off individuals retrain for high-demand careers. 

This guide outlines how to apply to Seneca Polytechnic through Better Jobs Ontario, with clear steps, helpful resources, and answers to commonly asked questions.

View the list of Better Jobs Ontario eligible programs at Seneca. Programs up to two years in duration are generally eligible.

If you are considering a program which is not listed, please check with your Employment Ontario (EO) counsellor for approval. 

Note: This process can take several months and programs may fill quickly, so start early.

Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) is a provincial program offering a grant to support eligible individuals with the cost of tuition, books, supplies, transportation and basic living expenses. The program is administered through Employment Ontario (EO) offices. Funding approval is solely determined by the government and is not guaranteed by Seneca.

You may be eligible for the BJO program if you are: 

• Unemployed or laid off
• Underemployed or working part-time
• Receiving social assistance 
• Planning to study full time in an in-demand occupation

Please see the Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) Application Form & Guide for more information.

Make an appointment with an employment counsellor at your local Employment Ontario Services Provider to understand the BJO program and confirm if you are eligible.

Review the list of Better Jobs Ontario eligible programs at Seneca. For reference, programs with a duration of two years or less are generally eligible. If your program of interest is not listed, check with your EO counsellor for approval.

Once you have selected your program of interest, collect the following information. To find this information, visit the program web page.

• Program name, code, campus and duration
• Full-time/part-time status, delivery format (in-person, hybrid, online, flexible) and start/end date
• Admission requirements, course list, tuition and any additional costs
• National Occupational Classification (NOC) code

If you require any further information, please email our Student Recruitment team at student.recruitment@senecapolytechnic.ca.

All full-time applicants must apply through the Ontario College Application Service (OCAS). There is a non-refundable application fee. 

To apply to a full-time program, follow these steps:

1. Visit ontariocolleges.ca to start your application. If you have never applied through ontariocolleges.ca before, click the "Create an Account" button to get started. 
2. Fill in your personal information and educational history and add your program choices. With your application, you can choose up to three programs at Seneca.
3. In the Financial Assistance section, select the box that indicates you’re applying as an “Agency-sponsored Better Jobs Ontario Applicant”.

For more information, please see How to Apply on ontariocolleges.ca.

Seneca will receive and acknowledge your application by email about 24 hours after you apply. We will send you your Seneca Student ID and information about how to set up your Seneca online services.

• Follow the status of your application in your Seneca online Student Home
• Watch for important emails from Seneca that provide specific instructions and tasks that you must complete to qualify for your program
• If you are asked to complete additional requirements, such as submitting transcripts, attending a pre-admission test, providing a portfolio or completing a writing sample, please ensure to follow up as quickly as possible

For those considering part-time studies at Seneca, we encourage you to visit our Part-Time Studies website to browse available programs and learn how to register. If you need help navigating your options, please contact us at student.recruitment@senecapolytechnic.ca.

If you are a successful applicant, Seneca will notify you of your offer of admission by email. You will also see your offer in your OCAS account.

Attach your offer of admission to your BJO application package and submit it to your employment counsellor. This will then be sent by your employment counsellor to the Ministry of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security (MCURES) for funding review.

MCURES will contact you regarding the approval of your BJO funding. Once you sign and receive a copy of your approved MCURES BJO contract, please email it to The Service Hub at theservicehub@senecapolytechnic.ca to the attention of Seneca’s Admissions team.

If you are waiting for approval of funding, please note:

• To hold a seat in your Seneca program, you must confirm your offer of admission on OCAS by the due date noted on your offer of admission letter
• Once you confirm your offer, you will receive information about your fees, including a deadline to pay the $200 non-refundable tuition deposit. To be guaranteed a seat, you must pay your deposit by the deadline
• The remaining tuition for your first term is due on the first day of classes 

If your contract is not approved by the MCURES, but you have received a Seneca offer of admission, there are other options for financial assistance. Some options include:

• Seneca Financial Supports & Resources
• Student Awards
• Scholarships Canada
• Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP)