Free job search help in the GTA

You don't have to look for work alone. Across the Greater Toronto Area, free services can help you write a resume, practise for interviews, and find job openings. Many offer help in languages other than English.

This guide lists official, free places to start in Toronto, Peel (Brampton and Mississauga), and nearby. We checked these facts on October 12, 2026. Programs, languages, and rules change, so call before you go.

Employment Ontario

Employment Ontario offers free, one-on-one support from a counsellor, including resume writing, interview practice, skills training, and help with your job search. It has more than 700 locations across the province (Employment Ontario).

Find a location: Use the Ontario-funded employment and training services finder. Enter your city or postal code, choose "Looking for Work," and filter for groups like youth, students, or newcomers.
Call: 1-800-387-5656 (toll-free) or 416-326-5656, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. TTY: 1-866-533-6339. There is also a live chat.

On ontario.ca, many of these offices are listed as Integrated Employment Services. Each one lists its own eligibility. Most say you must be of legal working age, live in Ontario, and be allowed to work in Canada. Some sites also say you must not be in full-time school or training (example listing). If you are a student, ask before you go.

Help in Chinese and Punjabi

The province's location listings show which languages each office supports. Here are some in the GTA:

Centre for Immigrant and Community Services (CICS), 2330 Midland Ave, Toronto (Scarborough): languages listed include Cantonese, Mandarin, and Punjabi, plus Arabic, Hindi, Tamil, Urdu, and more. Services can be tailored to immigrants and refugees. Phone 416-940-3369 (CICS listing).
Achēv, Brampton East, 263 Queen St E, Brampton: the program is delivered in English, with help available in languages including Mandarin and Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu. Toll-free 1-800-668-1179 (Achēv Brampton East listing).
Achēv, Mississauga, 50 Burnhamthorpe Rd W: delivered in English, with help available in languages including Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, and Urdu. Phone 905-949-0049 (Achēv Mississauga listing).
WCG Services, Brampton, 134 Main St N: languages listed include Punjabi, Hindi, and Urdu (WCG Brampton listing).

Language lists can change. When you call, ask for help in your language.

Newcomer agencies

Settlement agencies help newcomers and refugees find a job, improve their resume and interview skills, and get Canadian experience. Ontario says these services are free and available in many languages (Get settled in Ontario). You can search for an agency by city on that page.

Federal newcomer services are free for permanent residents (IRCC eligibility). Canadian citizens and most temporary residents can't use them. Since April 1, 2026, economic class permanent residents can use them for up to 6 years after becoming a permanent resident. If you become an economic class permanent resident on or after April 1, 2027, the limit is 5 years. To find one, enter your postal code in IRCC's search tool and choose "Help finding a job."

Two large GTA agencies focus on newcomers:

ACCES Employment has locations in Toronto, North York, Scarborough, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, and Newmarket. It says most of its services are free (ACCES Employment).
COSTI Immigrant Services has 17 offices across the GTA, and its team speaks more than 60 languages (COSTI). Its Brampton employment office at 10 Gillingham Dr has a special focus on immigrants and newcomers. Phone 905-459-8855 (COSTI Brampton listing).

Public libraries

Toronto Public Library lists settlement workers for 32 branches. They can help you find free job help, English classes, and newcomer programs. The service is free, and you can connect by phone, online, or in person. Service is in English, so contact the worker to ask about other languages (TPL).
TPL Career Coaches in Residence help younger adults with resumes, cover letters, job searches, and interview practice. You book an appointment on the library's website (Career Coaches).
Brampton Library works with the Brampton Multicultural Community Centre, Achēv, and IRCC. Settlement workers there can talk with you in your language about jobs and resume writing (Brampton Library).

Programs for youth

Youth Employment Partnerships (City of Toronto): Connects young people aged 15 to 29 with jobs, training, and education (youth job seekers).
Toronto Youth Job Corps (City of Toronto): A full-time, paid employment program that is free to join. It's for Toronto residents aged 15 to 30 who are citizens, permanent residents, or protected persons.
Summer Company (Ontario): Helps students aged 15 to 29 start their own summer business (youth and student jobs).
Canada Summer Jobs: Paid summer jobs for youth aged 15 to 30 who are citizens, permanent residents, or have refugee protection. International students are not eligible (Canada Summer Jobs). Postings go live on Job Bank's youth page each spring.

Employment Ontario offices also help youth. In the services finder, choose "Youth" to see offices near you.

Before you go

Call first. Ask whether you are eligible, whether you need an appointment, and which languages they offer.
Bring what you have: your resume (even a rough draft), your ID, and your work or study permit if you have one.
Never pay to get a job. Employment Ontario and settlement services are free. Be careful with anyone who asks for money to get you hired. Read Job scams that target first-time job seekers.

Next steps

Start your resume: Writing your first resume with no work experience
Get ready to meet employers: Your first job interview
Browse entry-level jobs in the Greater Toronto Area
Living in BC instead? Read Free job search help in Metro Vancouver