A new Durham career training initiative is helping eligible residents prepare for employment in two sectors experiencing strong local demand: health care and nuclear energy. The Durham Workforce Authority’s Skills Advance Ontario program combines free industry training with career assessments, coaching and employment support for people who are unemployed, recently laid off, underemployed or considering a career change.
The regional program is intended to connect job seekers with training that reflects employer needs in Durham Region. Applicants begin with a virtual career assessment designed to examine their skills, interests and employment goals. Program staff then determine whether the health-care or nuclear-energy pathway is an appropriate match.
Participants accepted into a pathway receive training at no cost, along with support from an Employment Service provider. Assistance may include career planning, job-search guidance, connections to employment opportunities and follow-up support during and after training. The Durham Workforce Authority notes that completing the program does not guarantee employment, and applicants must satisfy eligibility and participation requirements.
Health-Care Pathway Focuses on Personal Support Work
The health-care pathway provides access to Personal Support Worker training delivered through the Durham Catholic District School Board’s continuing education program. Personal support workers assist people who require help with daily living, including seniors and individuals receiving care at home, in hospitals or in long-term-care settings.
The pathway is designed to help participants build practical skills for a field experiencing continued workforce demand. Durham Catholic’s adult education system offers employment preparation and specialized training at sites serving communities across the region. Its current PSW programming includes flexible learning, practical instruction and hands-on placement experience.
Participants considering this route should review the program commitment carefully, including class attendance, practical placement requirements and eligibility conditions. The Skills Advance Ontario assessment is intended to help applicants understand whether the training and occupation fit their goals before enrolling.
Nuclear Pathway Supports Career Transitions
The nuclear-energy pathway connects suitable participants with Ontario Tech University’s Nuclear Career Accelerator. The 11-week online program covers nuclear systems, safety, regulations, industry operations and career readiness. It is primarily designed for mid-career engineers, technical professionals and workers with transferable experience from manufacturing, construction, energy, operations or project management.
Ontario Tech’s program also includes career-support services such as individual coaching, résumé and cover-letter assistance, interview preparation, networking guidance and job-search planning. The university says the training is aligned with workforce requirements in Canada’s expanding nuclear industry.
The pathway is particularly relevant to Durham Region because Ontario Tech operates its campuses in Oshawa and major nuclear development continues at the Darlington site in Clarington. Ontario Power Generation is currently developing four planned small modular reactor units at Darlington.
Applications and Screening Are Underway
The Durham Workforce Authority previously announced that recruitment, screening and information sessions would continue through the summer and into September. Interested residents can begin by completing the screening and career-assessment process through the organization’s Skills Advance Ontario program.
Durham career training applicants who are not matched with either pathway may still be connected with other employment or training resources. This means the assessment can provide useful career direction even when health care or nuclear energy is not the best match.
The program offers a structured starting point for residents who want to move toward more stable, in-demand employment. By combining occupational instruction with coaching and local employment support, Durham career training aims to help job seekers understand their options and prepare for the next stage of their working lives.
