Self Employment Program

The self-employment program provides a flexible range of programs, services and supports to provide training assistance to eligible individuals to develop; implement and operate viable businesses. These services may include detailed client assessment, formal classroom instruction in business plan development, market research, accounting, financial forecasting, and financing options.  These services can also include assistance to network with other business owners, mentoring opportunities, and professional consulting during business plan development and implementation.

Self-employment is a demanding and challenging way to pursue financial and personal independence. Participants must be willing to work long hours, be prepared for some personal and financial risk and understand the impact this commitment will have on their family.

GENERAL INFORMATION:
Participants interested in self employment training are required to participate in a prescreening process and those who appear to be suitable will then participate in a more detailed assessment by a contracted agency prior to being accepted into training.

Participants entering the program must have already acquired the skills and experience needed to deliver the business service and product.

Eligibility Criteria

ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS:

• a resident of Saskatchewan;
• legally entitled to work in Canada;
• at least 18 years of age and one year out of school;
• able to participate full time towards the development and implementation of the business;
• person with a potentially viable and self sustaining business idea.

And

Unemployed individuals:

• For whom a benefit period is established pursuant to The Employment Insurance Act (Canada) or whose benefits period has ended within the previous 36 months;

OR

• For whom a benefit period is established pursuant to The Employment Insurance Act (Canada) in the previous 60 months and
  a)  were paid special benefits (maternity or parental) pursuant to section 22 or 23 of the Employment Insurance Act (Canada) during the benefit period.
  b)  subsequently withdrew from active participation in the labour force to care for one or more of their new-born children or one or more children placed with them for the purpose of adoption; and
  c)  is seeking to re-enter the labour force.

INELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS:

• Currently working or attending school/training.
• Participated in self-employment program training in past 5 years.
• Participated in skills training previously through E.I. part I and/or II benefit.
• Have less than 51% control of Partnership or Limited Company.
• Part time/seasonal business or unable to generate revenues to be self-sufficient year round.
• Business revenue is mainly from commission, multilevel marketing or pyramid selling.
• Operating a business already and have filed tax return.

Summary

INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS SUPPORT COST (IBSC):

Following (IBSC) may be available based on each participant’s needs, net worth and net income:

• professional licenses, business licenses, name search and business registration;
• print materials (letterhead, business cards etc);
• travel, accommodation and registration at trade shows, conferences and business events within the Province of Saskatchewan.
• business rent, utilities (for a maximum of 3 months - home based businesses are not eligible for this support);
• participant supports or capital costs which are required due to disability or special circumstances;
• fees to access training;
• patent searches and copyright costs;
• professional services (legal services, accounting services, computer services etc.); and
• additional skills training or mentoring related to business operations or skill improvement, generally less than 30 hours (eligible training would include computer training, bookkeeping or skill upgrade courses, not essential trade skills or certification needed to perform the service).

Business support costs not eligible include:

• business financing costs, interest charges;
• business rent and utilities for home based businesses;
• inventory;
• costs associated with the purchase of a franchise (specialized training courses); occupational skills training related to business operation generally over 30 hours (hairdressing certificate, welding certificate, are not eligible, the participant must already possess the essential skills needed to operate the business); and
• capital costs.

Funding to a maximum of $1,000.00 per program participant is available (on an individual basis, not on group training contracts) for individual business supports.

SKILLS TRAINING BENEFIT (STB):
"Reachback" (on E.I. during past 3 - 5 years) participants may qualify for living needs. STB is based on need, family circumstances and income. It is not a right. It is a negotiated process requiring client contribution.
STB must be negotiated and approved prior to starting training.
E.I. participants may qualify for top up (expenses incidental to training such as childcare and travel) and/or living needs if E.I. runs out before training is over.
May not qualify for STB if you have received these benefits previously.

For a list of offices in Saskatchewan see the document Canada-Saskatchewan Career and Employment Services .  For information on becoming involved as a training provider for this program contact the Career & Employment Services office in Saskatoon at 306-933-7133.

Saskatchewan Contact(s):
Saskatchewan Community Resources and Employment
Web site: http://www.sasknetwork.ca