FAQ
- What will I learn in the Self Employment Program?
- How do I qualify?
- Where is the Self Employment Program offered?
- When does the program start?
- How long is the program?
- How soon can I start my business?
- How do I apply?
- Where do I have to live to be eligible?
- What can I do to make my application stronger?
- How long will I receive EI benefits/support?
- What is the success rate of Douglas College SE graduates?
- Do you have any information sessions or classes in the evenings?
- Does everyone who applies get an interview?
- Am I guaranteed acceptance if I reply?
- Can I apply with more than one business idea?
- What is the difference between my Employment Counsellor/Case Manager and my SE Business Advisor?
- Who are the instructors in the Self Employment Program?
1. What will I learn in the Self Employment Program?
The Self Employment Program is designed to help you write a comprehensive business plan, start and run your own business. During the first weeks of the program, you will focus on writing a business plan. Once you have completed your business plan, you will spend four weeks in seminars to develop your business management skills. Topics include sales, marketing, financial management and operations.
2. How do I qualify?
The Self Employment Program is sponsored by Service Canada. To qualify for the program, you must have an active EI claim or received EI in the past 36 months or have been on a maternity/parental claim in the 60 months prior to the program start date. If you are collecting a severance package, you may also qualify. To be eligible for financial assistance, individuals must meet the definition of an "insured participant" and must complete an application form to make their request for assistance under the Self Employment Benefit Program.
The business you want to start must be a new business to you, i.e. you have not been the owner of this business before. If you have worked for someone else doing the same thing or if you have done it as a hobby, then you could qualify.
3. Where is the Self Employment Program offered?
The Douglas College Self Employment Program accepts people from the Lower Mainland. Training sessions are at the David Lam Campus of Douglas College, 1250 Pinetree Way in Coquitlam and the New Westminster Campus, 700 Royal Avenue in New Westminster.
4. When does the program start?
Douglas College offers 10 start dates each year. New classes start every 5 weeks. Check our calendar for upcoming dates and locations.
5. How long is the program?
The Self Employment Program is a 48 week long program delivered in three phases. The first phase includes two-weeks of Business Plan Development training and individual consultation to review your business plan.
After the Local Review Committee approves your Business Plan, the next phase of the Program - Business Skills Development Seminars begins. During the 4-weeks of seminars, you will learn how to successfully start and manage your business.
Upon the completion of Seminars, you will work full-time (40 hours per week) implementing your business plan, meet with your Business Advisor, attend Round Table Networking Sessions and participate in Success Circles.
6. How soon can I start my business?
You can start your business on the first day of class. We recommend that you start your business after the business plan is written.
7. How do I apply?
To apply to the Self Employment Program, you must attend an information session. At that Information Session you will find out about the program and will be given an Application Form to complete. Information Sessions are held every 5 weeks in various locations around the Lower Mainland. We hold 8 Information Sessions for each intake. To see our information session schedule, please visit the calendar on this site or telephone our information line at (604) 777-6012.
8. Where do I have to live to be eligible?
You are eligible to apply for the program if you live in the Lower Mainland. (The program is open to all unemployed Canadians; preference is given to those who live in the Lower Mainland).
9. What can I do to make my application stronger?
The strongest applications are from those people who have done market research on their industry, competition, customers, and suppliers. Doing market research [link to market research] will help determine if your business is viable.
10. How long will I receive EI benefits/support?
Typically, you will receive 48 weeks of income support while you are in the program.
11. What is the success rate of Douglas College SE graduates?
The Douglas College Self Employment Program has helped establish more than 2,400 businesses and has one of the best success rates in the country.
- 93 percent still in business after one year (national average: 76 percent)
- 87 percent still in business after two years
- 76 percent still in business after three years
- 67 percent still in business after four years (national average: 40 percent)
12. Do you have any information sessions or classes in the evenings?
Unfortunately, we do not offer information sessions or classes in the evenings or on weekends. To attend the Self Employment Program, you must be available to attend classes during regular business hours.
13. Does everyone who applies get an interview?
Every participant referred by a Case Manager and has a viable business plan is interviewed for the program.
14. Am I guaranteed acceptance if I apply?
Not necessarily, it's important to remember that those people who are successful in the program have done market research and can prove that their business idea is viable, and who meet the eligibility criteria outlined by Service Canada.
15. Can I apply with more than one business idea?
No. To start a business successfully, you need to be committed to it. That means that you must pick one idea, either the most profitable or where you have the most experience. If you concentrate on one of the above areas, you have the best chance of getting into the program and succeeding.
16. What is the difference between my Employment Counsellor / Case Manager and my SE Business Advisor?
Your Case Manager/Employment Counsellor will help you develop a Return to Work Action plan that may identify a referral to the Self Employment Program. This person will also help prepare the paperwork necessary for financial assistance and referral to the Self Employment Program.
Your SE Business Advisor at Douglas College will provide feedback on your business plan and will work one on one with you during the program. Your Business Advisor is a resource to call upon when you need help with your business.
17. Who are the instructors in the Self Employment Program?
All of the Self Employment Program instructors are experienced entrepreneurs from the community who provide a valuable level of practical knowledge for you.