Helping People and Employers Succeed in Ontario Since 1988
Job Skills is a non-profit, charitable employment and training organization serving York Region, Peel Region and the Greater Toronto Area. Every year we help more than 15,000 people find work or start a business, and help local employers find the talent they need.
What is Job Skills?
Job Skills is a non-profit, charitable, community-based employment and training organization founded in 1988 in Keswick, Ontario. Headquartered in Newmarket, it delivers free employment services, employer services, self-employment programs and newcomer services across York Region, Peel Region and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA).
Job Skills works with more than 100 community partners and supports job seekers, youth, newcomers to Canada, women, persons with disabilities, internationally trained professionals, entrepreneurs and employers.
- Founded
- 1988, Keswick, Ontario
- Organization type
- Non-profit, charitable
- Head office
- Newmarket, Ontario
- Service area
- York Region, Peel Region and the GTA
- People helped each year
- More than 15,000
- Community partners
- More than 100
- Locations
- 8 centres and offices
- Cost to job seekers
- Free for eligible participants
How Job Skills Supports Our Community
Job Skills runs an outcome-focused, client-centred employment services system, grounded in responding to community needs and in customer service excellence.
Innovative, technology-enabled programs create pathways to sustainable employment for individuals, while also supporting the local business community.
Read our full storyOur mission
To deliver programs and services to individuals and organizations to meet the evolving needs of the labour market.
Our vision
Empowering individuals and organizations with the skills, know-how and confidence to succeed and elevate economic prosperity.
Employment, Business and Newcomer Services
Whether you are looking for work, hiring, starting a business or new to Canada, Job Skills has a program for you.
Employment Services
Free one-on-one support to find and keep work, through Employment Ontario centres in York and Peel Regions.
Learn moreEmployer Services
Recruitment services, hiring events, job postings, employee engagement surveys and business support.
Learn moreSelf-Employment
Programs that help youth, newcomers, women and persons with disabilities start and grow a business.
Learn moreNewcomer Services
Job search workshops, practice firms and employment settlement support at York Region Welcome Centres.
Learn moreThe Values That Guide Our Work
-
Our People
We honour the contribution of our employees, whose knowledge and effort build innovation, enhance collaboration and inspire excellence every day.
-
Respect
We nurture safe and open spaces where we elevate people through trust, honesty and relationship building.
-
Excellence
We commit to the highest standards and strive to be the best in all we do.
-
Integrity
We act with uncompromising honesty and ethics.
-
Innovation
We turn challenges into opportunities and ideas into creative solutions.
-
Collaboration
We work together to inspire teamwork and unity.
-
Equity
We create an equitable, diverse and inclusive culture by eliminating barriers and promoting equal opportunities.
-
Belonging
We provide an environment where everyone feels safe, supported and accepted.
Job Skills History: 1988 to Today
-
Getting started
1988 to 1999- Georgina Job Skills Project opens in Keswick to serve northern York Region.
- Business Services Division launches self-employment and youth entrepreneurship programs.
- Leads creation of the York Region Community Service Delivery Network.
- 10th anniversary: new name Job Skills, new logo and first website.
- Markham centre opens with YMCA and Seneca College.
-
Growing across the GTA
2000 to 2009- Serving more than 10,000 clients a year.
- Expands into Dufferin, Halton and Peel: 25,000 clients, 13 sites, 90+ staff.
- Newcomer Services Division launches; first Welcome Centre opens in Vaughan.
- 20th anniversary and new corporate name.
-
Specialized programs
2010 to 2019- Delivers Employment Ontario services; becomes lead agency at Markham North Welcome Centre.
- 25th anniversary: 10 offices, 24 programs and a new Employer Event Series.
- New programs for youth, persons with disabilities, women, newcomers and entrepreneurs.
- Bridging programs for internationally trained HR and health care professionals.
- 30th anniversary: 100 staff speaking more than 25 languages.
-
A new era of service
2020 to today- Joins the Employment Ontario transformation as part of the Peel Region prototype.
- 35th anniversary; Stouffville Employment Services opens.
Community Partners and Funders
We can't do it alone. Only with a large network of partners and stakeholders can we achieve success together and make a positive impact on the well-being of our community.
We work with more than 100 community partners in the GTA, including:
- Employment service providers
- Workforce planning boards
- Immigrant-serving organizations
- Ethnic-specific organizations
- Boards of Trade and Chambers of Commerce
- School boards
- Umbrella organizations
- Municipalities
- Local Immigration Partnership Councils
- Employer associations
Thanks to our funding partners, including Employment Ontario, the Province of Ontario, the Regional Municipality of York and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Job Skills programs are free for eligible participants.
Volunteer on Our Board of Directors
Make a difference in your community by sharing your expertise with other community-minded people. A few hours a week on the Job Skills Board helps shape the future of employment services in York and Peel Regions.
Learn About the BoardAnnual Reports
See our results, the people we served and how our programs are funded each year.
Common Questions About Job Skills
Straight answers about who we are, where we work and how we can help.
What is Job Skills?
Job Skills is a non-profit, charitable, community-based employment and training organization. Since 1988 it has provided employment services, employer services, self-employment programs and newcomer services in York Region, Peel Region and the Greater Toronto Area.
When and where was Job Skills founded?
Job Skills was founded in 1988 in Keswick, Ontario, as the Georgina Job Skills Project. Three staff supported 48 clients in the first year. The organization adopted the name Job Skills in 1998.
Is Job Skills a non-profit or a charity?
Yes. Job Skills is a non-profit, charitable organization. Its programs are funded by government and community partners, and it also accepts donations and sponsorships to support clients.
Are Job Skills services free?
Yes. Job Skills employment programs are free for eligible participants. Programs are funded by partners including Employment Ontario, the Province of Ontario, the Regional Municipality of York and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), depending on the program.
What services does Job Skills offer?
Job Skills offers four main types of services: employment services for job seekers, employer services such as recruitment and hiring events, self-employment and business programs, and newcomer services including job search workshops and Welcome Centre support. It has specialized programs for youth, newcomers, women and persons with disabilities.
What areas does Job Skills serve?
Job Skills serves York Region, Peel Region and the Greater Toronto Area. It has employment services centres in Brampton, Mississauga, Keswick, Markham and Stouffville, a head office in Newmarket and the Markham North Welcome Centre.
Where is the Job Skills head office?
The Job Skills head office is at 14-130 Davis Drive, Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 2N1. The phone number is 905-898-5138, and the toll-free number is 1-866-592-6278.
How many people does Job Skills help each year?
Job Skills helps more than 15,000 unemployed and underemployed people each year as they look for work or start their own business.
What is Job Skills' mission?
Job Skills' mission is to deliver programs and services to individuals and organizations to meet the evolving needs of the labour market. Its vision is to empower individuals and organizations with the skills, know-how and confidence to succeed and elevate economic prosperity.
What are Job Skills' values?
Job Skills is guided by eight values: Our People, Respect, Excellence, Integrity, Innovation, Collaboration, Equity and Belonging.
Who does Job Skills partner with?
Job Skills works with more than 100 community partners in the GTA, including employment service providers, workforce planning boards, immigrant-serving organizations, Boards of Trade and Chambers of Commerce, school boards, municipalities, Local Immigration Partnership Councils and employer associations.
How can I volunteer with Job Skills?
You can volunteer by joining the Job Skills Board of Directors. Board members share their expertise with other community-minded people and give a few hours a week to help guide the organization. Visit the Board of Directors page to learn more.
Is Job Skills hiring?
Job Skills regularly hires people who want to help others find work. It is committed to a workplace that is inclusive and representative of the communities it serves. Current openings are listed on the Careers page.
Where can I read Job Skills' annual reports?
Job Skills publishes its annual reports online. Reports from 2019 to 2025 are available as PDFs in the Annual Reports section of this page.
Page last updated:
Want to Make a Difference in Your Community?
Join a team of dedicated people devoted to changing lives. Job Skills is committed to a workplace that is inclusive and representative of the communities we serve.