The Ontario Job Creation Partnerships program (OJCP) allows job seekers to gain meaningful work experience to help them advance in their careers. Organizational sponsors create the work experience or project opportunity, and job seekers can select from available job opportunities that benefit them and the community.
OJCP projects are created by the local community and funded by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.
How to Get Started
If you’re a business looking for support with developing a project for the Ontario Job Creation Partnerships program, complete the application form below and a staff member from The Career Foundation will connect with you.
You may also start by approaching the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development with a proposal. The ministry will help you develop your idea and, if approved, you will receive a formal agreement and be able to start selecting participants for your project.
Candidates selected for your project will receive financial assistance while they participate. Financial assistance is provided through Employment Insurance (EI) benefits or as financial support from the Province of Ontario.
As the project sponsor, you will not pay wages to participants. However, you may choose to top up their financial support with additional funds.
Benefits to Participants
Project participants will:
- Gain valuable, recent work experience to add to their résumé
- Enhance their skills in areas that interest them
- Access excellent networking opportunities
- Improve their potential to find long-term employment.
Types of Projects
The ministry looks for projects that are:
- Finite in nature
- Not dependent upon future funding
- Not a part of your normal day-to-day activities
- Focused on developing and maintaining the skills of the individual(s) to increase their chances of finding work
- Typically able to involve three or more participants.
Funding is intended to support community-based, not-for-profit projects. Multi-sponsor partnership projects are also encouraged, but not a requirement.
Projects may be up to a maximum of 52 weeks in duration, with the average project lasting 26 to 31 weeks.
Learn More
To learn more about your responsibilities as a sponsor and the application process, please complete the form below and a representative from The Career Foundation will contact you within 1 business day.
If you’re a job seeker looking to participate in the OJCP program, please complete the form below and we will connect with you to find out more about your career goals and interests.
Additional information can also be found at the ministry’s Ontario Job Creation Partnership program website.