Unemployment strikes in a variety of ways. Whether an individual has been affected by company restructuring, needs skills upgrading, doesn't know where to look for work, or wants to pursue self-employment, Job Skills can help. Job Skills, a non-profit, community-based employment and training agency, began offering employment training in northern York Region in 1988. Today, the Agency provides Employment, Newcomer and Business Services and Programs in York Region, Dufferin, Halton, Peel and Toronto. Job Skills has expanded over the years and currently maintains locations in Keswick, Newmarket, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, and North York. More than 25,000 individuals are served annually. The services, programs and training delivered by Job Skills are designed to meet clients' individual requirements, as well as be flexible enough to respond to the needs of the community, changing employment conditions and shifts in the labour market. Special initiatives undertaken by Job Skills to build on community capacity or support a specific target group complement the Agency’s core business. Clients come from a variety of backgrounds: from youth at-risk of diminished life outcomes — to the 'over 45' worker who is looking for work or considering self-employment for the first time — to the newcomer to Canada learning how to job search the ‘Canadian way’. Job Skills has proven to be reliable and effective in providing services and programs and has earned a reputation for excellence that is client-centered yet results-oriented. Over the years, Job Skills' Staff of qualified professionals has served a diversity of clients seeking supports and assistance in finding employment or initiating small businesses. Job Skills’ Programs and Services are funded by the Government of Canada, the Ontario Government including Employment Ontario, municipal governments, United Way Toronto & York Region and the Ontario Trillium Foundation. Funds are also generated through donations, special initiatives and fee-for-service offerings.
