Explore

  • Take the time now to consider volunteer opportunities at community and non-profit organizations, within your school, with sports teams, or by mentoring younger students.  
  • Be sure to focus your search for volunteer positions on opportunities that align with your long-term career goals and will help you to learn and develop skills that will be applicable in your field.  
  • Check out Volunteer Opportunities on the Workforce WindsorEssex Volunteer Opportunities webpage 

Train

Specialist High School Major (SHSM) Program  

  • Consider joining a Specialist High Skills Major Program at your school in grade 11 or 12.  
  • Participating will allow you to gain hands-on experience in an industry that interests you and will also provide additional certifications to help you start working with the right skills and learn more about what a career in the industry looks like. 

Co-op 

  • Take part in co-op to test out a job.  
  • While you may only be working a few hours a day, it is a chance to get hands-on experience to see if you like that job. It can also be an opportunity to rule out jobs, certain work tasks, or settings that you do not want to work in. 

OYAP 

  • If you are interested in working in a skilled trade, join the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).  
  • You can start earning work and training hours while still in high school. You can start a work placement in grade 11 that contributes to working toward a Certificate of Apprenticeship or a Red Seal certification, as well as your high school diploma. 

Pre-apprenticeship 

  • The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program helps potential apprentices develop job skills and trade readiness to be better prepared to find work as an apprentice. 
  • The UHC-Hub of Opportunities provides pre-apprenticeship training for Cooks 

Apprenticeship 

  • As an apprentice, you learn a skilled trade on the job. You work with and learn from experienced workers and get paid while you do it. You also learn in a classroom from instructors who know the trade. This may take place on a college campus or in a union training centre. For most trades, you work for a year and then switch to studying in class for eight to 12 weeks, either full- or part-time. It takes between two to five years to complete an apprenticeship.  
  • To qualify for an apprenticeship, you must: be at least 16 years of age, have legal permission to work in Canada, meet the educational requirements for your chosen trade, and have a sponsor in Ontario.  

St. Clair College 

Lambton College 

University of Windsor 

Apply

Online Postings 

Search dozens of job boards at once with the region’s largest job board. You can search for positions that fit your schedule, location interests, and skill level.

Social Media 

Follow companies that you are interested in working for, employer associations, and BIAs. These accounts will often post open positions, networking events, or job fairs you can attend. 

Job Fairs 

Look for upcoming job fairs on social media, from employment service providers, and from companies that interest you.  

Before attending a job fair, review this guide.  

Employment Ontario Service Providers 

If you would like one-on-one support in your job search or support in developing your resume, connect with an Employment Ontario service provider. You can contact the Windsor Regional Employment Network to fit the organization that fits your needs.  

 

Build Your Skills and Resume 

  • As you take on new experiences, be sure to keep track of the skills you are developing and continue to add them to your resume. Building up your list of skills now will set you ahead when you begin looking for summer jobs or long-term employment.  

Reconnect with Former Employers 

  • If you participated in an internship, apprenticeship, or volunteer opportunity, consider reaching out to past employers or supervisors.  
  • Let past employers know that you are available for full-time positions. This can open doors to companies where you have already demonstrated your skills and experience. 

Confirm Certification Requirements 

  • Depending on your career goals, you may need to complete a specific number of work hours or pass examinations to become a registered practitioner.  
  • Ensure you understand and confirm any requirements needed to work in your chosen field.  
  • Where applicable, consider applying to join your local union or industry association representing workers in your sector. This can help you stay updated on new requirements, regulations, career opportunities, and professional development available to members. 

Tailor Your Job Search 

  • In-demand job opportunities that match your qualifications will now align closely with your field of study.  
  • Narrow your job search to match your qualifications and include the skills you have acquired through your education and previous work experience. 

Prepare for an Interview 

  • Be sure to learn about the company you are interviewing with. Look at their website or social media to find updates on their work. 
  • Be ready to briefly describe related experience and education that you have for the position. 
  • Review your qualifications for the job and practice an answer for why you want the position.  

Grow

Pursue Continuing Education 

  • Keep an eye out for continuing education or short-term training opportunities that you can complete as you start your career.  
  • Acquiring specialized skills, such as certifications, specialty training, or experiential learning opportunities, can set you apart on your career journey and highlight your skills. 

Develop Professional Relationships 

  • Be sure to foster good professional relationships with your teachers, mentors, and employers throughout your time in school, volunteer work, and employment.  
  • As you build a strong rapport with your supervisors, consider asking for their permission to list them among your professional references. 

Verify Certification Requirements 

  • Your specific career goals may require that you complete a set number of hours of work or pass examinations to be registered as a practitioner. Ensure you understand and confirm any requirements needed to work in your chosen field.  
  • Where applicable, consider applying to join your local union or industry association representing workers in your sector. This can help you stay up-to-date on new requirements, regulations, career opportunities, and professional development available to members. 

Join Peer and Industry Groups 

  • Find peer or industry groups that will allow you to meet others in your field, share connections for your job search, and make connections to help grow your career.  
  • These groups can also be helpful if you have moved for schooling or your job and are new to the community. 
  • Become a mentor for those new to the industry and share insights on how they can move forward in their own careers.  
  • Look for industry groups, company programs, or community groups that facilitate mentorship programs, can train you to be a mentor, or match you with a mentee.  
  • Entrepreneurship provides people with the opportunity to develop and grow their ideas and innovations into a business. It is an opportunity to set your own limits to how big you want to grow. You can choose to be a small sole proprietor who works part-time, or to grow an idea into a large, multinational organization. Entrepreneurship is an opportunity to be your own boss and create your own destiny. 
  • Windsor-Essex is home to several organizations that specialize in assisting people to become entrepreneurs through education, programs, and supports. 
  • The Downtown Accelerator offers opportunities for partnerships, co-working, networking, business supports, and knowledge sharing. It is a membership-based organization with pricing options that fit the needs of small businesses and start-ups. 
  • Futurpreneur offers specific resources for Black and Indigenous entrepreneurs. They also have programs for young people who wish to turn their side hustle into a small business. Supports offered include pre-launch coaching, online resources, financing, and mentoring. 
  • The Genesis Entrepreneurship Centre offers programs, support, and resources to assist guests who are interested in learning about or becoming an entrepreneur. Assistance offered is through one-on-one coaching, networking, and mentorship. The Genesis Entrepreneurship Centre supports early ideas and provides referrals out to other community support organizations that offer specialized services. 
  • The Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre provides information, services, advice, and consultations to assist entrepreneurs in starting their business. Some programs, such as consulting and training, have no application process. 
  • Dedicated office space at Startup Central gives entrepreneurs a collaborative workspace to help them launch their business. On-site programs offered include management training, mentorship, and workshops. Their incubator services focus on women and minority entrepreneurs. 
  • WEtech Alliance offers services and supports, including Business Advisors, Entrepreneurs-in-Residence, and mentors who provide their expertise and advice. These programs and services help business acceleration in the area and engage with young people to build the technology community and talent pipeline. WEtech has a network that is regional, provincial, national, and international. 
  • If you don’t have a business idea yet, contact one of the service providers in the Windsor-Essex area that specialize in entrepreneurship. They will learn more about your thoughts and ideas and direct you to the resources to help get you started, from idea to launch to growth. 
  • Research similar ideas or businesses in the area. One of the entrepreneurship support organizations in Windsor-Essex may be able to introduce you to someone in their network who has experience in your area of interest. Contact them to set up an information interview. This is a great way to learn about their journey as an entrepreneur. This is a great way to build your network. 
  • Begin building your knowledge about being an entrepreneur by attending webinars and workshops offered by the entrepreneurship support organizations in the region.