Unemployed workers hoping to start a new career with the help of an Ontario government program may not be approved for retraining because demand is outstripping the budget.

The province committed to spending $400 million on retraining 20,000 unemployed Ontarians when it launched its Second Career program in June 2008.

Under the program, each worker could receive up to $28,000 for tuition, travel, books and other training costs.

But according to an update on the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities website, demand for the program far exceeded expectations and the province is scaling it back.

The program "was designed to help 20,000 people over three years and in just 16 months, it has helped 21,000 people begin a retraining program."

The ministry said it will "continue to approve a limited number of applicants" for the program, "on a first-come, first-served basis."

9,000 people on waiting list

According to a provincial spokesperson, 9,000 people are on a waiting list, including 200 people in Ottawa who applied for second career training over the summer.

Robert Stinson sent in his application in August, after being laid off from his 22-year job at an auto shop.

Stinson hadn't worked in a year and was told it would take 18 days to get approved for the training money.

"In the interim, I've been borrowing from my family and needless to say, I owe … quite a few thousand dollars at this point."

Stinson's employment insurance ran out two weeks ago, forcing him to declare personal bankruptcy.

The change is also causing problems at colleges.

Rima Aristocrat, president of Willis College of Business and Technology, said 100 students were supposed to start at her school on Monday and none was approved for funding.

"All these people are confused and not knowing where to go. They are adults already with two or three careers. It's terrible."

The ministry is expected to unveil new program guidelines in November.