Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to Common Questions for Quick Solutions
Employment Services:
OFE connects job seekers and employers to create long-term, sustainable matches. We help people find permanent full-time jobs through employment coaching, resume/cover letter development, interview preparation, workshops on topics such as computer use, digital job searching, self-marketing etc., and assistance in obtaining certain certificates that would be beneficial to your job goals like Safe Food Handling, CPR and First Aid, Smart Choices Responsible Service, Lift Truck Theory, WHMIS and more! We can also introduce you to our Employer Partners that are sourced by our Employer Liaisons.
All of our services are free.
If you are a job seeker and would like to apply to OFE to receive free job search assistance services, there are two ways to register:
- Online Registration
Click on the "Register With OFE" button on our website. Enter your email and create a password to make an account. Then check your email and click the link to fill out the registration form. Once completed, please phone us at (204) 925-3490 to schedule an appointment for your next step. - In-Person Registration
To register in-person, please call us at (204) 925-3490 to book an appointment or come as a walk-in. We welcome walk-ins at our offices Monday to Thursday between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. We are located at 294 Portage Avenue beside the Canada Life Centre. Please check in at the 4th floor Reception. Our Employment Services Advisors are ready to assist you.
OFE works with over 500 Employer Partners.
Many of them represent in-demand sectors like:
• Manufacturing & Labour
• Health Services Support
• Customer Service/Contact Centres
• Retail & Hospitality
• Office & Administration
• Child Care
These are the areas where we have the most job positions and employer connections. However, we are able to help you apply for any type of position you are looking for.
Applying for Services:
One week (for initial appointments)
NOTE: wait times may vary between programs.
You may call us at (204) 925-3490, email us at ofe@ofe.ca, or chat with us through our website at www.ofe.ca. While we meet with clients by appointment only, we can accommodate in-person inquiries during office hours, which are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Mondays to Thursdays. Our office is at 294 Portage Avenue. Check in at the 4th floor reception desk.
There are two ways to apply to OFE as a Job Seeker.
- Apply Online
Click on the "Register With OFE" button on our website. Enter your email and create a password to make an account. Then check your email and click the link to fill out the registration form. Once completed, please phone us at (204) 925-3490 to schedule an appointment for your next step. - Apply In-Person
To register in-person, please call us at (204) 925-3490 to book an appointment or come as a walk-in. We welcome walk-ins at our offices Monday to Thursday between 8:00 am and 3:00 pm. We are located at 294 Portage Avenue beside the Canada Life Centre. Please check in at the 4th floor Reception. Our Employment Services Advisors are ready to assist you.
OFE is government funded and we are required to ensure that people are eligible to work in Canada. In addition, SIN numbers are the unique identifier that is used to report program engagement to our funder. The data is encrypted and, once entered, our staff do not have access to your SIN. You may provide your SIN in person versus providing it on the online application if you prefer. Your privacy is very important and we take every measure to protect you and your information.
If you have any additional questions, you can contact us at (204) 925-3490 and ask to speak to our Privacy Officer.
Eligibility for OFE Services:
- Be a resident of the City of Winnipeg
- Be eligible to work in Canada
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number
- Be unemployed or working less than 25 hours per week
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be available to attend programming
Note: Other program-specific eligibility requirements may apply
No. Due to the eligibility set out by our funders, we are limited to assisting only those who are unemployed or working part-time (less than 25 hours per week) and have the availability to attend programming.
If you are receiving Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) benefits, you will require a referral from EIA to attend OFE.
EIA is one of our funder partners, and we have a referral-based system with them. To get things started, please connect with your EIA Case Worker and ask them to send a referral to OFE. If they approve your plan, your EIA Case Coordinator will schedule you for one of our weekly EIA intake dates.
No. Due to the eligibility set out by our funders, we can help those with a Open Work Permit that are valid for at least 3 months. Please connect with us once you have applied to extend or renew your permit so we can schedule you for intake.
No. Unfortunately, our services are only available to people currently living in Winnipeg.
If you are someone from outside of Canada, here is a link that may help you on how to immigrate to Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc.html
The Community Employment Support Program (CESP) is designed to improve the labour market success of job seekers who have been involved with the justice system and face the barrier to employment of having a criminal record. The program is funded by the United Way and allows most participants with criminal records to access programming, including one-on-one intake assessments, career exploration, motivational interviews, encouragement, and confidence-building. In addition, they address job searching, resumes, cover letters, and interview assistance. Participants are also referred to in-house modules and training.
We are here to help! Please reach out through our registration process to get started.
Community Home Services Program:
We have a program called the Community Home Services Program (CHSP) where we assist with light housekeeping, yard work, and snow removal. It is a free program, but you do need to meet all eligibility criteria. Please email or call Nikki Pledger at Nikkip@ofe.ca or (204) 927-1722 for more information or if you have questions or would like to sign up for the program.
Employers:
Yes! We can definitely help you with that. OFE has Employer Liaisons who connect with employers who are looking for assistance in filling positions. Please contact Chris Milne at chrism@ofe.ca or call (204) 926-3101.
Programming related questions:
You may call us at (204) 925-3490, email us at ofe@ofe.ca, or chat with us through our website at www.ofe.ca to find out the name and contact information of your Employment Consultant.
Monday to Thursday
Open: 8:00 am to 11:45 am
Closed: 11:45 to 1:00 pm (during lunch break)
Open: 1:00 pm to 3:45 pm
Note: Any changes to the hours will be posted at our reception desks.
Please come to the office and ask a staff member at the 4th Floor Welcome Desk, and they will provide you with a new one.
You may call us at (204) 925-3490, email us at ofe@ofe.ca, or chat with us through our website at www.ofe.ca to request your OFE file number.
If you have your Employment Consultant’s contact information, you can reach out to them directly to ask for your file number.
Please go to the home page on our website and click of "Login to Account." Then click on the “Forgot Password” option to reset your password. If you are still experiencing issues, you may contact us so we can walk you through the steps on how to reset your password.
Please use this link https://www.ofe.ca/job-seekers/modules to get access to our modules page where you can see lists of our Employment Development, Skill Development, and Job Search Preparation classes and workshops.
Please connect with your Employment Consultant (EC) to be recommended for an upcoming class or workshop. If you do not have your their contact information, you can call us at: (204) 925-3490 or email us at: ofe@ofe.ca or chat with us through our website at www.ofe.ca.
If you have missed a class or appointment, please reach out to your assigned Employment Consultant (EC) to reschedule.
If you are unsure of who to contact, you can call us at: (204) 925-3490 or email us at: ofe@ofe.ca or chat with us through our website at www.ofe.ca.
General:
OFE welcomes the opportunity to listen to our clients' needs and provide better service. You may call us at (204) 925-3490 or email us at ofe@ofe.ca or chat with us through our website at www.ofe.ca for your concern to be directed to the proper Department Manager.
OFE is located at 294 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
We are located on the Southeast corner of Portage Avenue and Donald Street in the Somerset building, which is beside the Canada Life Centre.
Please check in at the 4th Floor Reception.
Many Westbound buses stop at the Canada Life Centre, which is beside OFE. The closest Eastbound stop is across the street, in front of Mountain Equipment Company at Portage Avenue and Donald Street. Most Winnipeg bus routes go through the Graham Avenue Transit Mall, which is a one to two block walk to 294 Portage Avenue where we are located.
The closest parking lot is in the Radisson Downtown Winnipeg hotel and is accessible off Smith Street. There are some time-limited parking spots on Donald Street (pay by phone), a parking lot across from The Marlborough Hotel and one behind the Metropolitan Entertainment Centre.
To learn more about parking in Downtown Winnipeg (including a Downtown Parking Map) go to the Downtown Winnipeg Biz website.
