Evergreen College :: Preparing Professionals for the Real World

Private Career Colleges (PCC)
The decision to go to a private career college is a very important one. Students need to do their homework before they enrol.

What is a private career college?
A private career college is an independent business that prepares students for a specific job, or gives them specific skills, such as computer skills. There are more than 500 registered private career colleges in Ontario.

Are there special standards for private career colleges?
Yes. Private career colleges operating in Ontario must be registered and must have their programs approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The act that governs private career colleges is called the Private Career Colleges Act. This act ensures that private career colleges meet certain standards for the programs they offer, as well as advertising, refund policies, and instructor qualifications.

What happens if I enrol in an unregistered college or an unapproved program?
If a private career college is not registered and it is offering an unapproved program, it is breaking the law. If you enrol in an unregistered college or an unapproved program, you won't be protected by the Private Career Colleges Act.

What kinds of programs do they offer?
Private career colleges offer certificate and diploma programs in many fields such as:
- Business
- Health services
- Human services
- Applied arts
- Information technology
- Electronics
- Services
- Trades
Who are these programs suited to?
Private career colleges often appeal to people who:
- Need specific job skills to join the work force
- Have academic qualifications and want to add to their practical skills to become more competitive in the job market.
How are programs offered?
Private career colleges often work with small groups of students rather than large classes, and offer:
- Flexible learning schedules
- Enrolment at many different times during the year
- Compressed programs that deliver training over a short time.
Where can I find a private career college?
You can search for a private career college on this website.
- Need specific job skills to join the work force
- Have academic qualifications and want to add to their practical skills to become more competitive in the job market.
How are programs offered?
Private career colleges often work with small groups of students rather than large classes, and offer:
- Flexible learning schedules
- Enrolment at many different times during the year
- Compressed programs that deliver training over a short time.
Where can I find a private career college?
You can search for a private career college on this website.
Governments of Canada and Ontario help older workers prepare for new jobs

WHITBY, ONTARIO, December 15, 2009-A joint initiative of the governments of Canada and Ontario will help unemployed older workers develop new skills that will enable them to find jobs in today's labour market.

Through the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers, both governments are making a combined investment of $58.5 million over three years that will provide training to 5,000 older workers. The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, and the Honourable John Milloy, Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities for Ontario, made the announcement today.

"When Canadians, including older workers, lose their jobs, we want to help them get back into the workforce as soon as possible," said Minister Finley. "Every region has different needs, and that is why we are working closely with Ontario to ensure that older workers can access the support, training and skills development opportunities they need to find jobs and adapt to the changing economy."

"Helping older workers find work will ensure that employers will have people with experience and skills that they can rely on," said Minister Milloy. "Investing in people and skills will help make our economy more innovative, productive and competitive."

The Targeted Initiative for Older Workers helps unemployed older workers living in communities experiencing significant downsizing or closures. Through the Initiative, older workers will receive the employment assistance and skills training they need to find and keep new jobs, allowing them to continue contributing to their communities and Canada's economy.

Under Canada's Economic Action Plan, the Government is providing an additional $60 million nationally over three years for the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers. This investment could allow up to 6,000 more participants across the country to benefit from the specialized support they need to prepare for new jobs. This funding builds on previous investments in Budget 2006, which committed $70 million to launch the Initiative, and in Budget 2008, which invested $90 million to extend this initiative to March 31, 2012.

The Government is committed to staying on course and protecting our economy by fully implementing Canada's Economic Action Plan. The Government remains focussed on the economy and on helping Canadians. To learn more about the Plan, please visit the following Web site: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

This news release is available in alternative formats upon request.

For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
Annette Phillips
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Milloy
416-326-5748

Media Relations Office
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
Second Career Exceeds Expectations
Successful Program Retrains Ontarians For In-Demand Jobs

Ontario's Second Career program is helping almost 21,000 people retrain for new careers in high-demand fields.

Second Career helps laid-off workers transfer their skills to in-demand fields such as nursing, information technology, engineering technology, policing and community and social services. The program provides support for things like tuition, books and living expenses that allow workers to participate in long-term training.

Second Career was established in June 2008--- before the worst of the global recession. The program's three-year goal of helping 20,000 laid off workers has been surpassed after just 16 months.
The government is investing an additional $78 million to help keep up with demand.

QUICK FACTS
- The average Second Career participant is about 40 years old, with an equal proportion of men and women participating in the program.
- About one quarter of Second Career participants have come from Ontario's manufacturing sector.
LEARN MORE
- Find out more about Second Career.
- Get help looking for work.
"When it comes to the economy, the most important thing is when a mom or dad can come home and say, !I got the job.! We want Ontarians to get those jobs. That's why we need to come up with a fiscally responsible way to keep this successful program going. There are already almost 21,000 Ontarians who believe in Second Career, and we believe in them"

- Dalton McGuinty
Premier of Ontario

"Second Career is helping Ontarians make the courageous decision to go back to school. People can get the skills they need for jobs in the new economy because Second Career assists them with tuition, transportation and living costs."

- John Milloy
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
Ontario's Second Career initiative working, Brampton MPP says

BRAMPTON - MPP Linda Jeffrey says close to 1,000 people in Brampton and surrounding area have already benefitted from the province's Second Career program, an initiative that aims to retrain laid off Ontarians for new careers in high-demand fields.

"I'm really pleased with the impact Second Career is having on our community," Jeffrey said. "Individuals who have been laid off are showing it is possible to survive a job loss and thrive." Brampton's manufacturing base has taken a huge hit in recent years due, in large measure, to troubles in the North American auto sector and a fledgling global economy.

As a result, many Bramptonians have been left jobless and struggling to make ends meet.

Established in June 2008, Second Career helps laid-off workers transfer their skills to other in-demand fields such as nursing, information technology, policing and community and social services, and engineering technology.

The initiative provides support like tuition, books and living expenses that allow workers to participate in long-term training.

And in just 16 months, the program has surpassed its three-year mandate to help 20,000 laid off workers get ready to re-enter the job market.

"These students will succeed in new careers and make an important contribution to our local economy," Jeffrey said.

According to the province, close to 9,000 laid off workers in the GTA, excluding Toronto, have been approved for Second Career since the program was created.

The average Second Career participant is about 40 years old, with an equal proportion of men and women participating in the program.

John Milloy, Ontario's minister of training, colleges and universities, said Second Career is helping many Ontarians through career transition, while helping the province navigate a significant economic change."

"Second Career is helping Ontarians make the courageous decision to put life on hold and retrain," Milloy said. "By supporting students with tuition, transportation and living costs, they can get the skills and knowledge they need to get jobs in the new economy."
Ontario Helps Newcomers Succeed
McGuinty Government Building Tomorrow's Highly Skilled Workforce

More internationally trained immigrants will receive help finding jobs in their field through the Colleges Integrating Immigrants to Employment program (CIITE).

The Ontario government is continuing to support CIITE, a program that helps provide newcomers with education and career advice, referral services and academic credential assessments on 18 college campuses.

CIITE is also creating an online Record of Education and Experience database to better connect internationally trained immigrants with employers.

QUICK FACTS
- The government is investing $8 million in CIITE over the next two years, adding to the $11.5 million invested in the program since 2003.
- CIITE has helped more than 10,000 newcomers since 2003.
- The Colleges of Ontario Network for Education and Training (CON*NECT) operates CIITE.
- Ontario is home to more immigrants than any other province in Canada. About 100,000 immigrants settle annually in the Greater Toronto Area alone.
LEARN MORE
- Learn more about Ontario's colleges.
- Find out how to put your international experience to work in Ontario.
- ontario.ca/tcu-news
- Helping Newcomers Succeed
CONTACTS
- Annette Phillips (For media)
Minister's Office
416-326-5748
Annette.Phillips@ontario.ca
- Tanya Blazina (For media)
Communications Branch
416-325-2746
tanya.blazina@ontario.ca
- For public inquiries call
416-325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514
TTY 1-800-263-2892

Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
ontario.ca/postsecondary

"Internationally trained immigrants have a wealth of knowledge and experience to offer. By helping them put their talent and skills to work, we can make our province more competitive, strengthen our economy and build prosperity for all Ontarians."

- John Milloy
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Minister of Research and Innovation

"By helping newcomers to succeed, we are helping Ontario to succeed. Their success is Ontario's success."

- Michael Chan
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

"This funding will help Ontario colleges remain at the forefront of providing pathways for skilled immigrants to find relevant employment. Supported by the CIITE initiative, colleges provide immigrant advising services, recognize previous learning, and offer training programs that result in internationally trained immigrants working in their field more quickly."

- John Donald
Vice President, Business Development, Applied Research and External Relations, Conestoga College