Self-Employment Program

The Self Employment Benefits Program is only accessible to those who are referred through Nova Scotia Works. In order to be eligible for self-employment benefits program through CEED you must review the following eligibility requirements below:

• Unemployed or under-employed – working a maximum of 19.5 hours per week
• Legally entitled to work in Canada – Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
• Labour Market Development Agreements (LMDA) Eligible/Premiums Paid Eligibility (PPE) *must meet 1 of the 4 criteria*
  • Currently on a regular EI claim
  • Have been on a regular EI claim within the last 5 years
  • Have generated at least $2,000 of insurable earnings in any 5 of the last 10 years
  • For full eligibility requirements visit the Employment Nova Scotia website.

CEED’s Self-Employment Benefits Program advisors, in addition to having extensive business experience, have a passion for helping program participants build their abilities and make the most of their resources to succeed as entrepreneurs. In other words, they are there to support you each step of the way. Our well-tested and highly effective approach to learning also gives participants an opportunity to test out different ideas and learn from each other.

The format:

The program starts off with a half-day orientation (in the morning), and there is a mandatory 30-minute 1-on-1 in the afternoon that includes a roadmap for the 40 weeks ahead.
Next, there are 15 workshops in which you learn essential lean startup and business skills.

You’ll be paired with an expert business advisor who will provide individualized support and one-on-one coaching throughout the program.

Guess what? You actually launch your business within the first 25 weeks of the program. That means you get to apply the knowledge and skills you’ve developed in the first weeks of the program to the real-world experience of owning your own business—all with the support of your advisor and peer