What is it?

Aspire: put yourself to work is a business start-up and development program funded through Service Canada by the Government of Canada. Offered 4times a year, this self-employment program provides intensive, comprehensive and interactive business skills instruction and support in starting and running your own business.

Topics covered include: Business Concept Development, the Business Plan, Market Research, Sales & Marketing, Accounting, Financial & Legal Basics, Networking and Problem Solving. Service Canada approved applicants qualify for up to 48 weeks of Self-Employment Benefits with no 'claw back'. That is to say, that unlike general EI benefits, income earned while in this program is considered an investment in your business and not deducted from the EI payments.

Who is eligible?

This year long program is open to you if you are legally entitled to work in Canada and have:

• either an active EI claim or received EI in the last 36 months or maternity/paternity benefits in the 60 months prior to the program start date
• a referral by a Sunshine Coast Employment Centre Employment Coach