Looking for Help Finding a Job in Kitchener-Waterloo?

Build your skills and take the next step toward employment.

Looking for a job can be challenging, especially when you’re not sure where to start or could use some extra support along the way.

KW Career Compass offers job readiness courses for adults 18+ who experience a barrier to employment. Our courses combine practical learning with hands-on experience to help you build your skills, prepare for your job search and feel more confident about what comes next.

What is a Barrier to Employment?

A barrier to employment is anything that can make it more difficult to prepare for, find or keep a job.

It can look different for everyone. You might:

Have limited job experience
Need help creating a resume or preparing for interviews
Be unsure what type of job would be a good fit
Have a disability or need accommodations
Need more experience with workplace expectations
Have been away from employment for a while
Benefit from additional support while looking for a job

Having a barrier to employment doesn’t mean you aren’t ready or able to contribute. It simply means there may be something making your path to employment more challenging.

You do not need to have a developmental disability to participate. Our job readiness courses are open to adults 18+ with any barrier to employment.

Start with
LEG Up! to Work

If you’re looking for support getting ready for a job, LEG Up! to Work is a great place to start.

Offered four times a year, this in-person course combines classroom learning with practical experiences designed to help you better understand your strengths, build your skills and prepare for your job search.

You’ll learn about:

Self-presentation
Time management
Rights and responsibilities
Professionalism
Communication and self-advocacy
The realities of starting a new job
Managing employment and your personal life
Goals and barriers
Job searching and interview skills
Giving and receiving feedback

You’ll also get one-to-one help with your resume and cover letter, practice interviews with community partners and hands-on skills evaluations at local businesses.

What Happens after LEG Up! to Work?

Your next step will depend on you.

After completing the course, you’ll meet with the KW Career Compass team to talk about your skills, goals and what you’d like to do next.

Your plan could include continued skill building, volunteering, job development or other employment supports.

More Ways to
Build Your Skills

In addition to LEG Up! to Work, KW Career Compass offers sector-specific job readiness courses based on community interest and demand.

Interested in one of these courses?

Let us know. Joining our interest list helps us understand which courses people in our community are looking for and gives us a way to contact you when registration opens.