Work

Finding a Job

Online Job Finding Tools

To save you time, Workforce WindsorEssex has created job finding tools that search 40+ job boards and career pages. You can explore job postings in three unique ways:

Other Online Job Finding Tools

For a full list of all job finding tools including upcoming job fairs, how to sign up for email alerts, employment opportunities related to the Gordie Howe International Bridge, and more, please visit Workforce WindsorEssex’s website here.

Online Resume Help

Looking for resume tips and advice, click here.

In-Person Help finding a Job

You can use the WEsearch tool to find in-person employment services that are right for you. They can assist with your job search, help improve your resume, preapre for interviews and more.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to Apply for a Job

Once you see a job posting that you are interested in, you will need to send your résumé (a summary of your qualifications, experience and education) and a cover letter to the company that posted the original job posting. Companies will review all of the resumes and arrange interviews with the best candidates for the job.

How to Prepare for Applying for a Job

You may want to learn more about how to write a cover letter, how to write a résumé and how to prepare for interviews. Use our WEsearch programs tool to find an Employment Ontario office. They offer no-charge, government-funded employment services to Canadians and permanent residents.

Learn more about Canadian Jobs

The National Occupation Classification (NOC) (en Français) gives descriptions for the work that Canadians do.

Learn more about Regulated Professions

Learn about the services available in Ontario to help you continue working in your profession or trade if you’ve been trained in another country.

Skilled Trades

Windsor-Essex needs skilled trades! If you’re looking for a job as an apprentice or journeyperson in Windsor-Essex, use Workforce WindsorEssex’s job board.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an Apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a trade or profession with on-the-job training and often some accompanying study. Apprenticeships can also enable practitioners to gain a license to practice in a regulated profession.

What is an Apprentice?

An apprentice (en Françis) is someone who learns a skilled trade on the job, under the direction of more experienced workers. An apprentice is similar to an intern or an understudy. Examples of jobs in the trades include welders, roofers, hairstylists, early childhood educators, bakers and electricians. Apprentices usually practice 90% hands-on and 10% theory in the classroom.

Skilled Trades in Ontario

After you finish all parts of your training, you will be need to be certified to become what is called a “journeyperson” or a “skilled worker.”

Regulated trades require you to pass an exam after your training in order to earn your Certificate of Qualification, although some trades are non-regulated and don’t require a Certificate of Qualification in order to practice the trade in Ontario.

For apprenticeships, some trades are called “compulsory trades.” This means that you have to be certified or be a registered apprentice. Other trades are “voluntary trades.” This means you do not have to have certification to work in voluntary trades.

What financial incentives or grants are available to support Apprenticeships?

If you’re an apprentice looking for money to support you in starting your apprenticeship click here.

If you’re an apprentice looking for money to support you in finishing your apprenticeship click here.

Skilled Trades Transferability within Canada

Red Seal Trades (en Français) are trades that allow you to work in other provinces and territories. Apprentice or journeyperson working in a Red Seal Trade can continue to work in/towards that trade in Ontario.

Want to hire an apprentice?

If you want to be an apprentice you need an employer who will hire and train you. Use Workforce WindsorEssex’s WEsearch tool to find an Employment Ontario office in Windsor-Essex. They can assist you in hiring apprentices.

Is your Child considering a Career in the Skilled Trades?

There are many different pathways for apprenticeship. If you have a child in high school, then they may have the option of starting their training while still in school. This program is called the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program or the Programme d’apprentissage pour les jeunes de l’Ontario.

Invest Here

There are many reasons why you should choose to invest in Windsor-Essex County, and our region has the supports that your business needs to get started in our community.

These resources from the Windsor Essex Economic Development Corporation will show you why Windsor-Essex County is the right fit for you, your family and your business.

• Why Windsor-Essex County? Let these Top Reasons to Choose Windsor-Essex show you why!
• Windsor-Essex County has a very unique Location Advantage that is sure to be helpful for you and your business.
• Take a look at our Workforce Demographics to see how our local workforce can meet your business’ needs.
• Interested in learning more about our demographics? The [link broken on current site] Regional Demographics Tool is here to help you.

Starting Your Own Business

An entrepreneur is someone who owns their own business. Entrepreneurship can be both rewarding and challenging. There are many opportunities to start a business in Windsor-Essex County. We have many local supports to help you if you are interested in starting your own business.

• The Small Business Centre offers small business owners and entrepreneurs many different supports including:
  • Small Business Information
  • Consultations
  • Business Plan Support
  • Access to Professionals
  • Business Resource Centre
  • Research Assistance
  • Workshops/Seminars and Networking Opportunities
• The Downtown Windsor Business Accelerator was designed to help accelerate the growth of start-up and emerging businesses. They offer office space, business seminars, on-site mentoring and business plan development.
• The St. Clair Employment Centre offers the Ontario Self Employment Benefit, which helps people who are eligible for Employment Insurance in starting their own business. They offer services including:
  • Information Sessions
  • Business Planning
  • Business Administration Training
  • Business Consulting Assistance
• EPICentre is hosted by the University of Windsor and offers entrepreneurship classes, workshops, activities, competitions and an internship program.
• The Essex Community Futures Development Corporation works to keep and create jobs. Through an investment fund, they offer loans to small and medium-sized businesses that can be used for equipment, expansion of product lines, increased working capital, etc. Businesses must be located in the County (Windsor businesses cannot take part).
• WEtech Alliance helps technology companies succeed through offering a variety of programs and services.
• The Government of Canada has a Business Guide for Newcomers that will provide you with some of the basic requirements for starting your business in Ontario.

International Credentials

You may have completed education, done training or gained work experience in your home country. In many cases, completing education or training will grant you a credential, such as a degree, diploma, certificate or trade certificate. These are referred to as international credentials.

Employers may not understand how your International credentials compare to credentials here in Canada. In order to show them what your experience and education equals in Canada, you will need to have your credentials evaluated by a reputable organization.

There are organizations in Canada that will evaluate credentials for your level of education and for your employment experience for a cost. They are listed on the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada website. It is very important that you compare evaluation services and their reports before choosing the service that will work best for you.

Tips on choosing an evaluation service:

• If you plan on applying to an educational institution(s) or licensing organization in Canada (or Ontario), ask what type of evaluation report is needed and which evaluation service you should get it from.
• Make sure that the report you are getting will be useful for the following purposes: immigration, employment, and education. Education includes higher education, continuing education and/or entry into apprenticeship training programs.
• Apply to an evaluation service that will review all of your documents, such as transcripts, training/course outlines, academic credential, etc. Employers prefer evaluation services that review all documents.
• Find out if the service you choose charges a separate fee for each credential you want to have evaluated, or if they have 1 fee for all of your credentials.
• Find out if the evaluation service sends, free of charge, a second original copy of your evaluation report directly to where you need it to go.
• If you are receiving social assistance in Canada, ask your caseworker if the Government will pay for your evaluation report.

Volunteering

A volunteer is someone who works without getting paid.

A teenage girl holding a sign that says “Volunteering allows people to meet friends and make new connections.”

Many employers look for volunteer experience when they are hiring people.

Your children will need to complete 40 hours of volunteer service when they are in secondary school.

There are many benefits to volunteering:

• Learning and developing new skills
• Networking and getting to know other people
• Gaining work experience
• Learning more about different job and career opportunities
• Discovering what you are good at and what you enjoy doing
• Gaining reference and recommendation letters
• Making new friends
• Learning more about our community
• Giving you a sense of accomplishment and belonging
• Allowing you to use your talents

There are many ways you can become a volunteer:

• Some organizations post advertisements for volunteer positions.
• The United Way Centraide’s We Volunteer site will match you up with a volunteer role that lines up with what you are looking for. You can learn more about them on Facebook or Twitter.
• Workforce WindsorEssex also has a Volunteer Opportunities page
• You can phone a company and discuss the opportunities they have for volunteers.
• You can see how your skills can be used in our community.

Recognition and Awards for Volunteering

Visit these links to learn more:

English
http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/english/citizenship/honoursandawards.shtml

French
http://www.citizenship.gov.on.ca/french/citizenship/honoursandawards.shtml

Local Workforce

MONTHLY JOB DEMAND REPORT

SECTOR DASHBOARD

MONTHLY LABOUR FORCE SURVEY REPORT

WEMAP CENSUS