Finding a Job and Becoming Financially Independent

The purpose of the Aim for Employment Program is to offer participants financial assistance and personalized support in order to help them enter the labour market and become financially self-sufficient.   

If this is the first time you are eligible for the Social Assistance Program, you must participate in the Aim for Employment Program (if you meet all the conditions for the Aim for Employment Program).

An individualized labour market entry plan will be prepared for you in order to help you enter the labour market and be financially self-sufficient.

Regardless of your situation (ready to find a job, need training or need to develop certain social skills), you will be provided with support that is adapted to your specific situation.

The labour market entry plan will take your needs and aptitudes into account, as well as the type of job being sought and labour market conditions. You will be provided with the necessary support and coaching every step of the way so that you can reach your goals.

You could receive an employment-assistance allowance to replace the basic benefit if you participate in an active employment measure. 

As part of the activities of the Program’s Intensive employment search component or the Development of social skills component, you will receive a participation allowance of $70 a week in addition to the basic benefit. 

If you participate in an activity of the Skills development component, you could receive an employment-assistance allowance to replace the basic benefit. This allowance is: 

• $370 a week for the Manpower Training measure (for general training), the Job Readiness Projects measure and the Targeted Initiative for Older Workers measure
• $475 a week for the Manpower Training measure (for qualifying training)
• An amount equal to the minimum wage for 35 hours of work a week for the Support for Self-Employment measure 

Certain additional fees (extra expenses, childcare, transportation, tuition, etc.) could also be reimbursed.

Some of these programs also provide free childcare services to parents who benefit from them . 

An employment-assistance officer will start by assessing your situation and identifying the main obstacles preventing you from entering the labour market. After the assessment, the employment-assistance officer will prepare an individualized labour market entry plan taking into account your situation, the type of job being sought and labour market conditions. 

• If you can quickly enter the labour market, you will be given access to activities to help with your job search.
• If you need to develop your skills before entering the labour market, you will be provided with the opportunity to participate in training or obtain work experience.
• If you need to deal with difficulties related to life situations or personal problems before beginning to work, you will be given access to activities that will help you develop your social skills.

Participation in the Aim for Employment Program is a total of 12 months.

If you agree, your participation can be extended for up to 12 additional months to allow you to complete an activity provided under your labour market entry plan. Participation is possible for a maximum of 24 months.

The Aim for Employment Program has penalties that may be applied if you fail to carry out an obligation in your labour market entry plan. The penalties are moderate and are applied gradually.

The purpose of the Aim for Employment Program is to provide you with support in order to help you permanently enter the labour market. 

Contact a Services Québec office  in your region.