Employment Support

If you need assistance with workplace accommodations, finding a job, on the job support, changing careers, learning new skills or taking training, support is available through a number of different agencies and organizations.

Some of the services have an application process and a qualification process, while others do not. Government programs such as ODSP Employment Support Program, Industry Canada, Workers Compensation Board, Employment Insurance, and Ontario Works may provide assistance with assessment, education, training, workplace assessment, workplace accommodations, job placement, assistive technologies, clothing and business start up funds. In most cases, these programs are administered through employment service providers.

Below is a list of the various services with a brief explanation and a link to each website.

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LINKS   (These will open in a new window.)

• Ability Edge - Ability Edge – A national internship program for graduates with self-declared disabilities to assist them in gaining career-building work experience. Ability Edge internships are paid positions that last for 6, 9 or 12 months and are used by employers seeking more diversity in their workforce.
• Bartimaeus Employment Support Services - Bartimaeus offers Vocational Support Services which provides a wide range of services to people who are experiencing obstacles in returning to work, or retaining work after an accident, illness or other major life event.
• Business Start Up - This website proides information to assist in starting up a business. A number of different sites are included for information on different industries.
• Canadian Hearing Society - Candian Hearing Society Durham provides personlized employment supports, resources and counselling.
• Community Living Ajax, Pickering, Whitby - Vocational services provides a variety of learning opportunities to assist individuals with developmental disabilities to obtain employment and work experience in the community.
• Community Living Oshawa/Clarington - Supported Employment enables people with intellectual disabilities to find meaningful and gainful employment. The program matches employee skills with employer needs and offers on the job training at no cost to the employer. All referrals come from ODSP (Ontario Disability Support Program).
• Durham College - Brock Community Employment Resource Centre - The Brock CERC provides FREE employment services to individuals.
• Durham College - Oshawa Community Employment Resource Centre - The Oshawa CERC provides FREE employment services to individuals.
• Durham College - Port Perry Community Employment Resource Centre - The Port Perry CERC provides FREE employment services to individuals.
• Durham College - Uxbridge Community Employment Resource Centre - The Port Perry CERC provides FREE employment services to individuals.
• Industry Canada Youth Initiatives - These initiatives are offered to help recent graduates obtain practical job experience.
• John Howard Society - Offers employment services and skill upgrading opportunities.
• META Vocational Services Inc. - META assists persons with disabilities from the Durham Region to reintegrate into their local labour force.
• Northern Lights Canada - Northern Lights Canada offers services for people with disabilities who need help determining their functional capacities for work and will help secure a suitable job.
• Ontario Disability Support Program - Employment Supports - Helps people with disabilities find and retain competitive employment. Employment goals are reached with the help from community service providers. Even if you do not qualify for ODSP Income Supports, you may qualify for ODSP Employment Supports.
• Ontario Employment Assistance Services - Ontario Employment Assistance Services can help people connect with a variety of employment programs. It also has services to help people prepare for and find a job.
• Ontario Shores, Vocational Services - Ontario Shores, Employment Services is an innovative community project demonstrating new approaches to helping people with mental health difficulties enter and participate in the labour market. This is achieved through a variety of vocational options and with the support of a vocational rehabilitation team.
• Watton Employment Services - Watton works with other community services to help get individuals back to work and/or establish employment related goals.