Self-Employment Option

Overview of the Self-Employment Option program:

The Self-Employment Program, administered by the Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) in the Northwest Territories (NWT), is a career and employment support initiative aimed at helping NWT residents transition to sustainable self-employment. The program is targeted at unemployed or underemployed individuals who have a viable business idea but require support to launch and stabilize their business. Participants receive assistance in developing a business plan and may qualify for financial support during the early start-up phase of their business. This support helps cover living expenses while the entrepreneur works to get the business off the ground and move toward profitability. Additionally, participants are provided with training in business operations, budgeting, marketing, and management skills. The program's goal is to reduce dependency on income assistance or unemployment and to increase entrepreneurship opportunities across NWT communities. The program is especially beneficial for people in smaller or remote communities where formal employment opportunities may be limited. The support is customized to meet the individual's needs and circumstances. Applicants work with Career Development Officers (CDOs) to assess their eligibility and suitability and to build a comprehensive employment action plan that includes self-employment as a targeted outcome.

Benefits of the Self-Employment Option program:

• Financial assistance to cover living expenses during the business launch
• Support to develop a viable business plan
• One-on-one guidance from a Career Development Officer
• Access to business skills training and mentorship
• Promotes long-term economic self-sufficiency
• Encourages entrepreneurship in communities with limited employment opportunities
• Personalized employment action planning for self-employment pathways

Eligibility criteria of the Self-Employment Option program:

• Eligible applicants must:
• Be a resident of the Northwest Territories
• Be unemployed or underemployed
• Have a viable business idea that can realistically become self-sustaining
• Be willing to work with a Career Development Officer to create a business plan and action plan
• Commit to actively developing and managing their own business
• Demonstrate a need for income support during the start-up phase
• Not be receiving other full-time employment income during participation
• Ineligible applicants include:
• Those not residing in the NWT
• Individuals not seeking self-employment as a primary form of income
• Those unable to commit to developing and managing a business full-time