Self Employment Program

The Community Futures Self Employment program offers support for starting up a business or for the purchase of an existing business. The program includes business plan development assistance, a variety of business skills development workshops, one-on-one mentoring, business counselling, collaboration with peers and experiential learning in hands-on workshops. Employment Insurance or Reachback eligible applicants may also recieve income support while researching their new business opportunity, writing their business plan, and launching their business.

Community Futures has operated the program continuously since 1992 and has an excellent track record of successful business start-ups through this program. The business plans that result from the program are comprehensive, market driven and highly regarded by industry.

Individuals can determine their EI, Reachback, or disability eligiblity with a local WorkBC Employment Services Centre.  A WorkBC Employment Counselor will assess your eligiblity and, if suitable and eligible, will refer you to a Self-Employment Orientation Session. Following the Orientation Session, you can register for and attend the Opportunity Readiness Workshop.

WorkBC Employment Service Centre locations and contact numbers:

You must attend the Opportunity Readiness workshop as a pre-requisite for the full Self-Employment Program.
Click here for more information on the Opportunity_Readiness_Worksheets.pdf

The Self-Employment Program includes instruction on how to write a business plan. Click here for more information on the Business Plan Development Program.

We offer loans, business counselling and business development programs for start-up or expansion – click here to find out more about Community Futures Lending or call 250-868-2132 ext. 227 to meet with a business counsellor to explore your options.