TORONTO, October 29, 2026 – Following Ontario’s recent suspension of student financial assistance to certain private postsecondary institutions, some unemployed residents applying for vocational training funding through the Better Jobs Ontario program are also experiencing approval delays, preventing them from starting their courses as scheduled.
The Canadian Press reported on October 28 that one applicant, who had planned to begin heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) training in London, Ontario, on October 19, was originally scheduled to discuss a funding agreement on October 13. However, the meeting was later cancelled, and the applicant was informed that the application was under review. After missing the scheduled course start date, the applicant may now have to wait until May 2027 for the next available session.
The employment service agency assisting the applicant said other clients have experienced similar problems. Career Colleges Ontario also reported that some of its member institutions had experienced interruptions in Better Jobs Ontario funding. However, the association said it had not received a formal notification from the provincial government regarding a suspension of the entire program.
Better Jobs Ontario primarily provides vocational training funding to unemployed individuals, helping them develop new skills and return to the workforce. Financial assistance can cover tuition, textbooks, transportation and certain basic living expenses.
Under current rules, eligible applicants enrolled in training programs lasting one year or less may receive up to $28,000. For programs lasting more than one year but no longer than two years, the maximum funding amount is $35,000. The actual amount approved depends on the cost of the training program and the applicant’s individual circumstances.
Before these delays emerged, the Ontario government had already suspended certain Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP) payments to private postsecondary institutions over compliance concerns related to student financial assistance applications. The province also said other government funding directed to private institutions was under review.
OSAP and Better Jobs Ontario are two separate programs. The provincial government has not announced the cancellation of Better Jobs Ontario, but some applicants have already experienced disruptions to their funding approvals and course schedules.
Applicants who have received admission offers but are still waiting for Better Jobs Ontario funding are advised to contact the Employment Ontario service provider handling their applications to confirm the status of their funding before deciding whether to pay tuition or change their course start dates.
If a course has been postponed, applicants can also contact their training institution to confirm the next available start date and how any fees already paid will be handled.
The Ontario government has not yet disclosed how many Better Jobs Ontario applications are affected by the review or when funding approvals are expected to return to normal.
（LJI by Yuanyuan）
