Entrepreneur training to help you succeed
Community Futures Entre-Corp offers a suite of services to assist entrepreneurs in our region.
Since 1988, we have helped entrepreneurs and existing businesses get started and connected to the programs, resources, tools and services to help small business succeed. Whether it is financing, business advisory services, or training, we encourage you to come in and discuss your ideas with us.
So what are the basic steps to create and finance a business? We believe that an important first step is education. If you believe that small business ownership is a viable career choice for you, our SelfEmployment Training Program will guide you through the fundamentals of starting a small business. The Self-Employment Training Program is an Alberta Labour initiative that Community Futures Entre-Corp has delivered collectively for 21 years.
With notably high unemployment affecting individuals and families and continual economic challenges, considering entrepreneurship as a career choice continues to increase in popularity.
The self-employment (SE) training program is a one-year commitment that will provide training and mentorship on how to start and run a business. It begins with seven-weeks of classroom-led business training. Classes run Monday to Thursdays, from 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m. During the course of the year, students will receive regular mentoring support and ongoing follow-up reviews.
The seven-week classroom portion includes topics such as GST/payroll, bookkeeping, income tax matters, understanding sole proprietorship/partnerships/corporations, pricing, cash flow budgeting, operations, market research, social media marketing, business planning, HR management, and sales training. Several guest speakers are invited in to discuss insurance, banking, OHS/WCB, legal matters, graphic design, branding/website design, self-care practices, strategic planning as well as a list of guest panel speakers who are also business owners and have a wealth of experience to share. By the end of the seven-week classroom portion of the program, students will be ready to complete and submit their business plan.
Once participants complete the classroom portion of the program, they move into startup and operations while they continue to receive mentorship for one full year so that they receive coaching as they start their entrepreneurial journey.
For those who meet Alberta Labour’s policy requirements and are approved for the funded program, they may be eligible to receive unemployment insurance and/or learner benefits support for up to 26 weeks. Applicants must apply and are assessed to determine eligibility. This program is also available for a fee for those who do not meet the qualification criteria.
Community Futures Entre-Corp is currently accepting applications for the April 24 start date. For more information about this program, please call Community Futures at 403-528-2824.
Elizabeth Blair is the regional innovation network coordinator for APEX Alberta. APEX Alberta supports the growth of innovative and technologically-oriented businesses in Southeast Alberta. APEX Alberta is a collaborative initiative between three core service providers: Community Futures Entre-Corp, Medicine Hat College and Alberta Innovates.