Entrepreneurship
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Self Employment Program
The Self Employment Program - supported by the Government of Canada, Service Canada and the Government of Alberta, Employment & Immigration - is a 6 month training program that assists unemployed individuals develop their own small business.
The program offers:
- assistance writing your business plan
- income benefits to assist new entrepreneurs with their personal living expenses while they are establishing their business; income earned by the business can be invested back into the business, allowing it to become self-sufficient once funding ends
- free training and counseling for the duration of the contract to assist new entrepreneurs in managing their business
Program Criteria
To be eligible for the Self Employment Program you must:
- be currently on Employment Insurance (EI), have had an EI claim in the past 3 years or a Parental claim in the past 5 years, or be receiving Income Support Benefits
- be unemployed or underemployed
- live within the Wild Rose region
- want to start a 'new to you' business
- have a controlling interest in the business
- be legally entitled to work in Canada
- propose a business concept that would be suitable for public funding
- plan to work full-time (minimum of 35 hours/week) in your business
- have not started your business
To confirm your EI status, you can contact Service Canada at 1.800.206.7218 or log on to My Service Canada Account (formerly My EI Information) online.
Program Application Process
To apply for the Self Employment Program ...
1. Meet with our Self Employment Coordinator for an Orientation Session.
If you are interested in the Self Employment Program and meet the program criteria, schedule an Orientation to learn more about how the program works.
2. Prepare your application (research and write your business plan).
Your business plan is your application to the Self Employment Program. You have two options:
a) Independently
Complete your business plan independently. If you have questions, contact our office to book a counseling appointment with our Self Employment Coordinator. Our business plan outline can be downloaded here.
b) Self Start Program
Complete the Self Start Program. This program provides valuable support as well as counseling time while you are completing your business plan. The Self Start Program is 10 weeks in length.
3. Submit your application.
If you complete your business plan independently, you will need to meet with the Self Employment Coordinator to submit the plan and provide an overview. After your plan has been reviewed, you will be contacted to meet with the Coordinator and go over any revisions that may be required.
Participants in the Self Start Program will have deadlines for submission of their business plan.
4. Your application is reviewed for approval.
5. Sign your contract.
You will hear immediately if your application has been approved. A contract outlining duties and obligations will then need to be signed.
If your application is declined, you may have the opportunity to provide additional information or revisions to the business plan for review at a later date.
6. Start your business!!
Frequently Asked Questions
What financial assistance is available to help me become self-employed?
The Self Employment Program does not provide start-up financing to purchase equipment, buildings, inventory or working capital ... but you may apply for business financing under the Community Futures Loans Program.
If you are accepted into the Self Employment Program, you may be eligible to receive financial assistance to help cover living expenses, although financial assistance may vary and depends on the availability of funds as well as your EI status.
- If you have a current EI claim (with 26 weeks or more left in the claim), you may be able to collect EI up to 6 months during the start-up of your business.
- If your EI claim runs out during the 6 month period, you will need to apply for funding through Alberta Employment & Immigration.*
- If you do not have a current EI claim, but have had an EI claim in the past 3 years or a Parental claim in the past 5 years, you can apply for funding through Alberta Employment & Immigration.*
- If you are currently receiving Income Support Benefits, you will need to have your case worker refer you to the Self Employment Program.
*The funding program through Alberta Employment & Immigration is for living expenses and not business start-up costs and is based on your total family income, need, and the number of family dependents. This funding is not guaranteed to each participant, is taxable, and will be repayable if you leave or are terminated from the Self Employment Program.
Why should I participate in the Self Employment Program?
The majority of small business fail for two reasons:
1. Not writing a business plan; and
2. Not receiving assistance from professionals in the start-up of their business.
Start right and learn what it takes to run a successful small business!
