Welcome to
ReStart

Welcome to ReStart Employment Services, we’re happy you’re here

About Us

Who We Are

ReStart is the primary source of help and information for job seekers in the Kingston Area.

We will work collaboratively to fulfil Employment Ontario’s vision to create a skilled and diverse workforce.

We are committed to providing you with a high-quality service that is positive and responsive to your needs.

Our Services

For Job Seekers

For Employers

Kingston Community Vote Winner From 2020 - 2025

What our Clients Say

Sam Homavand
19:55 09 May 25
William Jones
15:45 02 May 25
Matthew assisted in exploring my employment options very thoroughly given how particular I was with my desired role.
Andrea Payne
13:55 30 Apr 25
Terry at Restart is fantastic to work with!! I recommend him and Restart to job seekers and employers. Keep up the great work!
Patti Ridlon
15:04 28 Apr 25
As a non-profit employer, I appreciate ReStart and the ability to not only find great employees, but also, in many cases, access a subsidy during their probationary period. This support has been incredibly valuable in helping us build a strong, reliable team while providing opportunities to individuals looking to re-enter the workforce. The staff at ReStart are professional, responsive, and truly care about making the right match between employers and job seekers. Their services have made a real difference for our organization, and I highly recommend them to any employer or job seeker in Kingston.
Brandi Meeks
14:28 11 Apr 25
Big thank you to Mandie Hill-Leaver and Neva for your support and guidance through my job search. Was a absolutely success thank you for all your patience 🙏
Faye Prettie
21:44 27 Feb 25
McKenzie Jordan
22:56 11 Feb 25
Restart has been amazing to work with! I would recommend 100000% - I personally work with Mrigank and he's wonderful with accommodating my time and answering my emails in a timely fashion - they all go above and beyond and will work whatever needs you have beyond needing job assistance
Savan Patel
14:38 23 Jan 25
Restart, Kingston has been amazing in helping me achieve my certification and advance my career. A special thanks to Mandie Hill-Leaver for her incredible support and guidance. Highly recommend!
Jim James
03:18 12 Dec 24
Re-Start Kingston. I would like express my sincere gratitude, for the exceptional Support that you have provided to me, from the very first day i landed in Kingston, had no clue How, Where to start, Now look at me, all because of you Re-Start, Victoria your patience, encouragement have played a pivotal role in my life. Thank you Thank you so much Victoria and the Re-Start team, you guys are the Champs🏆.
I appreciate the time and effort you took to get me a job and dress me, now i look professional.
Your support has been instrumental in my professional growth, and i am grateful to have the opportunity to be helped by you.

With sincere appreciation

James Jim

We are Part Of The John Howard Society Kingston and District

We support all individuals within the Kingston and surrounding areas in obtaining their employment goals. Our highly skilled staff is ready to assist you today!

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions

For Job Seekers

There are a number of programs funded by both the federal and provincial governments that can help you during difficult times. Each program is catered to helping in specific ways for specific populations, so you should take time to look into each program to see which will best suit your individual needs. 

Our highly skilled Employment Consultant team will help you every step of the way, and provide you with information on various services and can provide outside referrals for other supporting agencies such as Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Programming, and Employment Insurance.  

The amount of time it can take to find a new job is dependent on many different factors. Due to this, it is very difficult to say how long it will take any individual to find work. The best way to get a better idea of what to expect is to research local labour market trends. Ontario’s labour market webpage offers monthly updates regarding the labour market in Ontario. This is broken down further into the amount of jobs created for people at various levels of education and within various fields of employment. Using this resource will give you the most up-to-date information so that you know what to expect in your job search. 

There are a few important things you can do to improve your chances of getting an employer’s attention. The first thing you should do is make sure that your resume and cover letter (if necessary) include what the employer is looking for according to the job posting. Take time to read through job postings you are interested in and try to match your skills with what the employer is looking for. The better you are able to demonstrate you are a good fit for the position, the better chance you have of moving on to the next stage of the hiring process. 

Another way to improve your chances of getting hired is to diversify how you are expressing interest in work. Online applications are the norm in today’s job market, but networking and face-to-face interactions with potential employers are still powerful ways to show your interest and competence. Telling friends and family that you are looking for work opens up the chance for them to tell you about opportunities they have heard of through their own network. Talking directly with a manager in charge of hiring will set you apart from the competition as long as you present yourself well. It is important not to ignore these strategies even with the majority of applications happening online. 

For Employers

If the employee quits, the employer will receive wage reimbursement up until the last day worked by the employee. The employer will not receive the entire amount allotted in the placement agreement if the employee quits before the placement ends.  

The employer must let the Job Developer know as soon as possible so they can then prepare the placement paperwork to be signed by all parties. 

The employer can then ask for more candidates to re-fill the position.  

Provide your Job Developer with the following information: 

  • Legal Business Name
  • CRA/Business Number
  • Date Business was Established
  • Number of Employees
  • Business Corporate & Mailing address
  • Main contact person(s)

The Job Developer will then provide you with a form containing the above information for you to sign. This process is done yearly to ensure information is kept up to date.

No, there is no cost to use any services at ReStart. 

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that John Howard of Kingston and District, ReStart and Connect Youth operate on the shared traditional territories of the Anishinaabe (Ah-nish-in-ah-bay), Haudenosaunee (Ho-den-o-show-nee) Huron Wendat and Oneida.  This land is unceded territory. We are grateful and privileged to be able to work, learn and thrive on these lands.