Jobs with no experience are a real way into the Canadian workforce in 2026. Kitchens, cleaning companies, stores, farms and warehouses regularly hire people who have never done the job before and train them on site.
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On October 23, 2026, a Job Bank search for “no experience” returned 9,735 postings, including farm labourer, cashier, gas station attendant, car wash attendant and construction helper roles. Job Bank lists several entry-level occupations with on-the-job training or no specific education requirement. These jobs can suit students, career changers, newcomers and people returning to work.
This guide shows which jobs train new hires, what they pay and how to apply safely. To see current postings, use the button below. It opens Job Bank, the Government of Canada’s job board, where you apply directly with each employer. We are not an employer or a government agency, and we do not take applications.
What “no experience” means in a job posting
Each Job Bank posting has an “Experience” field. Some say “No experience (will train)”, which means the employer expects to teach you the tasks. Others say “Experience an asset”, which means experience helps but is not a must. Neither means the job has no requirements at all.
Many postings still ask for reliability, basic English, the right to work in Canada and the ability to stand, lift or work shifts. Some also ask for a short certificate, such as a food handler course, which you can get before you apply.
Entry-level jobs that often train new hires
The table shows common entry-level occupations, what Job Bank says employers typically require, and the median hourly wage Job Bank reports in Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.
| Occupation | Typical requirement (Job Bank) | Ontario median | BC median | Alberta median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen helper | Some secondary school; on-the-job training provided | $17.95 | $18.25 | $16.00 |
| Light duty cleaner | No specific education requirement | $19.00 | $20.00 | $18.20 |
| Cashier | Some secondary school usually required | $17.95 | $18.25 | $15.15 |
| Shelf stocker (supermarket) | Some secondary school usually required | $17.95 | $18.25 | $16.50 |
| Material handler | Some secondary school may be required; strength for heavy loads | $21.50 | $22.00 | $22.00 |
Source: Job Bank wage and requirement pages, checked October 23, 2026. A median is the middle of reported wages, not an offer, and your pay depends on the employer.
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Pay for jobs with no experience: the minimum wage is the floor
Every employer must pay at least the general minimum wage of the province or territory where you work. On October 23, 2026, it ranged from $15.00 an hour in Alberta to $20.17 in Nunavut. Ontario’s rate is $17.95 since October 1, 2026, and British Columbia’s is $18.25 since June 1, 2026.
Federally regulated employers, such as banks, postal and courier services and interprovincial transportation, must pay at least $18.15 an hour since April 1, 2026, or the provincial rate if it is higher. Our guide to part-time jobs in Canada has the full table for every province and territory outside Quebec.
Hours and shifts
Entry-level jobs are often the ones that cover evenings, weekends, early mornings and holidays. Job Bank notes that food counter attendants and kitchen helpers usually work less than 35 hours a week.
Overtime starts after 44 hours a week in Ontario, after 8 hours a day or 44 a week in Alberta, and after 8 hours a day or 40 a week in British Columbia, at 1.5 times your regular rate.
How to apply for jobs with no experience, step by step
- Pick two or three job types from the table above that match your strengths and schedule.
- Open Job Bank with the button on this page, search “no experience” or a job title, and add your city.
- Create a free Job Bank job alert so new postings arrive by email daily or weekly.
- Write a one-page résumé focused on skills, availability and any certificates.
- Apply exactly the way each posting asks, and keep a simple list of where and when you applied.
- Follow up once after about a week, and ask for the offer in writing before you start.
Short certificates that help you get hired
A low-cost certificate can set you apart when you have no work history.
- Food handler certificate: useful for kitchens, cafés and grocery stores. Examples include $69 for Open School BC’s online FOODSAFE Level 1 and $70 for the Saskatchewan Health Authority course. See our kitchen helper jobs guide for other provinces.
- WHMIS: employers must train workers who handle hazardous products, such as cleaning chemicals, under the Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System.
- Forklift training: often requested in warehouses. Read our guide to forklift certification.
- Security licence: security guards need a provincial licence in provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta. See our security guard licence guide.
Free training and funding by province
If you need training before you can get hired, public programs can cover part or all of the cost. Check eligibility on each official page.
| Program | Where | What the official page says |
|---|---|---|
| Better Jobs Ontario | Ontario | Up to $28,000 for training of one year or less, plus a living allowance, for eligible laid-off or long-term unemployed people |
| Ontario Job Grant | Ontario (employer applies) | Up to $10,000 per trainee; small employers training previously unemployed new hires can get up to $15,000 |
| WorkBC Centres | British Columbia | Free employment services; may fund tuition, books, living expenses and childcare if you need training to get a job |
| StrongerBC future skills grant | British Columbia | Up to $3,500 for short-term training at public post-secondary schools, age 19 or older |
| Canada-Alberta Productivity Grant | Alberta (employer applies) | 75% of eligible training costs, up to $5,000 per employee per fiscal year |
| Youth Employment and Skills Strategy | Canada-wide | Programs that help youth aged 15 to 30 gain skills and work experience |
If you plan to study part time while you work, the Canada Student Grant for Part-Time Students offers up to $2,520 a year until the end of the 2026 to 2027 school year, based on financial need.
Your rights from your first shift
- Minimum wage: it applies whether you are new, part time or still in training.
- Trial shifts: in Ontario, since March 21, 2024, a person who works a trial shift is an employee under the Employment Standards Act, so the hours count as work time.
- Written information: since July 1, 2025, Ontario employers with 25 or more employees must give new hires their pay, pay day, work location and expected hours in writing.
- Termination: notice or pay in lieu is owed after three months of employment in Ontario and BC, and after 90 days in Alberta.
If you are not paid correctly, contact the employment standards office in your province or territory. You do not need a lawyer to file a claim.
How to write a résumé with no work experience
Use a skills-based résumé. Start with your name, phone, email, city and a one-line availability statement. Then list skills with proof: “handled cash at school fundraisers,” “cleaned and set up a community hall weekly,” or “cared for younger siblings after school.”
Add volunteering, sports, school projects and any certificates. Keep it to one page, use a simple layout and ask someone to check spelling. Two references, such as a teacher, coach or volunteer coordinator, help an employer trust you.
Interview tips for entry-level jobs
Arrive ten minutes early and dress one step above the job. Prepare short answers for “Why do you want this job?”, “When can you work?” and “Tell me about a time you worked in a team.”
Show that you can learn: mention a skill you picked up quickly. At the end, ask who trains new staff and how long training lasts.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending the same generic résumé to every employer.
- Leaving out volunteering and school activities because they were unpaid.
- Applying only online and never following up.
- Paying for a course that is not recognized in your province.
- Agreeing to unpaid work in exchange for a “chance” at a job.
How to spot scams that target new job seekers
The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre warns about job offers you did not apply for, requests for deposits or “upgrade fees,” fake online store and survey jobs, cheques you are told to cash and send back, and requests to move money through your bank account.
A real employer never charges you to get hired. Never send your SIN, ID or banking details by text, WhatsApp or social media before a real written offer from a company you have checked. Report suspected fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at 1-888-495-8501.
Similar jobs to explore
For roles that often hire beginners, read our guides to warehouse jobs and cleaning jobs in Canada. You can also browse all our job guides for Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Which jobs in Canada hire people with no experience?
Common examples are kitchen helper, light duty cleaner, cashier, shelf stocker, material handler and farm labourer. Job Bank lists on-the-job training or no specific education requirement for several of these occupations.
How much do jobs with no experience pay?
At least the minimum wage where you work, from $15.00 an hour in Alberta to $20.17 in Nunavut on October 23, 2026. Job Bank medians for entry-level occupations are shown in the table above.
Do I need a certificate to get hired?
Not always. A food handler certificate helps for food jobs, forklift training helps in warehouses, and security work needs a provincial licence.
Can I get free training before applying?
Often, yes, if you qualify. Better Jobs Ontario, WorkBC and the StrongerBC future skills grant are examples. Eligibility rules apply.
Do trial shifts have to be paid?
In Ontario, a trial shift counts as work time under the Employment Standards Act. Elsewhere, ask before the shift and check with your employment standards office.
Where do I apply for jobs with no experience?
Directly with each employer. Job Bank, the Government of Canada’s job board, lists current postings. We do not take applications.
Sources
- Job Bank: Kitchen helper job requirements
- Job Bank: Light duty cleaner wages in Canada
- Government of Ontario: Better Jobs Ontario
- WorkBC: WorkBC Centre services
- Government of Ontario: Employee status and trial periods
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: Job scams
