Application Process

Individuals interested in skills training must meet with an Employment Ontario Integrated Employment Service (IES) / Employment Service (ES) provider to complete an employment service needs assessment prior to applying to BJO. Applicants who apply through an IES provider will complete a Common Assessment (CA) and Employment Action Plan (EAP). These plans will identify whether or not skills development or training is the most appropriate course of action.

Service Providers (SPs) will assess individuals against the BJO eligibility and suitability requirements and complete the BJO Eligibility and Suitability Assessment Tool in EOIS-CAMS. By signing the template, SPs attest to having assessed the applicant’s BJO eligibility and suitability.

If the service provider determines that BJO is the most appropriate avenue to support the

individual’s goals, the applicant will complete the BJO Application for Financial Assistance and any other required forms. The SP is responsible for preparing the complete application package and submit it to the ministry for review.

SPs can either share a PDF version of the BJO Application for Financial Assistance for applicants to fill out or invite them to apply digitally through the EO Portal.

The EO Portal and BJO online application form are online tools that clients can use to complete a BJO application package, including completing the application form and uploading required supporting documents. To apply digitally, the SP must invite the client to participate in the BJO application online; it is not automated- it is based on client skills and readiness. The SP should assess the client to ensure they will be a good fit for using the online application. The EO digital portal is hosted on Public Secure, which is a similar platform to BPS/OPS Secure.

To apply to BJO, individuals must complete/provide the following to their SP:

• BJO Application for Financial Assistance (digital or PDF).
• A copy of the letter of acceptance, and any necessary supporting documentation from the training institution

Individuals must also include documents to support their request for costs related to dependent care, if applicable.

In addition to the documents that the client provides, SPs must complete the following:

• BJO Eligibility and Suitability Assessment Template
• BJO Application Recommendation Checklist (ARC) form

The service provider is responsible for preparing the complete application package as identified in Part 1 – Checklist of the ARC form and submit it to the ministry for review.

The ARC form identifies client information and documents that are required to be submitted to the ministry by SPs for all BJO applications. The form also requests information about the client’s history and program eligibility and requires that SPs attest that BJO is the most appropriate path to address the individual’s employment needs. The ARC form is required to be submitted to the ministry as part of the BJO application package.

Yes, the Ministry launched BJO service standards on October 30, 2025, and they can be found on the BJO – Application page. They were implemented to bring consistency to the administration and delivery of BJO across the province, improving the client experience. The BJO service standards are also in alignment with the Ontario Public Service (OPS) Service Standards.

In the BJO service standards the Ministry commits to:

• Send applicants a confirmation email within 2 business days of receiving an application package. The email will include a summary of the next steps and ministry contact information.
• Notify applicants of the final decision within 15 business days of receiving a fully completed application package, as defined in “Part 1: BJO Application Package Checklist” of the Application Recommendation and Checklist (ARC) form

Dependent care costs are incremental costs incurred for the care of a child under 14 years of age or a person with a disability who is dependent upon the participant for care while the participant participates in skills training. A dependent must reside with the participant or be under their care and be wholly or partially dependent on them for support.

Financial assistance for incremental dependent care costs may be provided if they are incurred by the participant while they are participating in BJO. In determining the incremental dependent care costs, the ministry will consider how dependents were cared for prior to participants entering the BJO program and how they will be cared for when participants have completed the program.

An individual can apply for dependent care support by filling out the following two forms as part of their Better Jobs Ontario application:

• Request for Financial Assistance for Dependent Care Costs
• Dependent Care Declaration – Dependent Care Provider

SPs can support individuals in filling out the forms properly and are required to verify proof of birth for each dependent and current payment receipts for dependent care costs, signed and dated by the provider.

BJO will fund based on actual expenses incurred by participants, up to the following maximums:

Feepayers are Employment Insurance (EI) claimants who have requested and received Section 25 approval from the ministry to continue to collect EI benefits for the duration of their EI entitlement period while attending approved skills training. Feepayers, like all other individuals who receive BJO financial assistance, must be case managed. Through the Common Assessment process, an Employment Action Plan will be collaboratively developed by the client and case worker. A lack of skills should be identified as a barrier to employment, in order to support a request for Section 25 approval under the Employment Insurance Act.

Feepayer approval must only be used when individuals are able to pay for their skills training but require their EI benefits for the entire duration of their entitlement period while attending approved skills training. Feepayer approval must not be used if individuals require BJO funding in order to complete skills training.

Feepayers can apply to BJO using the BJO Feepayer Application and Email Attestation (found on the BJO Application page) that states that they will not request financial assistance from the ministry to support them with their training.