Self Employment Program

The Self Employment Program (SEP) is a 48-week skills-development program designed to assist eligible participants in developing and implementing a business plan.

Through workshops, business advice and coaching; participants learn to build a sustainable business and are expected to achieve self-sufficiency.

The training consists of two parts:

Part 1 – Phase 1: Is a 10-week business plan development with five mandatory workshops and three coaching sessions.

Part 2 – Phase 2: Is a 38-week business launch with monthly coaching sessions.

The SEP does not provide start-up financing.

Who is the Self Employment Program (SEP) for?

Eligible participants:

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• Must be a resident of the Comox Valley area
• Must be Unemployed or Precariously employed
• Are currently receiving Employment Insurance (EI), or have received EI within the past five years, or have earned $2000 of EI insurable earnings in any five of the last ten years, or have a BCEA PWD/PPMB designation, or have a general disability designation
• Are unable to obtain sustainable employment with their current skills
• Must be committed to working 35 hours per week on their business for the full 48 weeks of the program with no breaks other than statutory holidays
• Are able to make a personal investment into their business

Where do I learn more about the SEP program?

If you have a business idea and have NOT already started your business; call 250-334-3119 to speak with an Employment Counsellor about your eligibility.