Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs Program
7 Week PAID virtual self-employment training for Youth
Serving Vancouver Island and Central Coast (Squamish to Powel River) communities
NEXT START DATE: July 5, 2021 – Apply Now!
COVID PROTOCOL: This program is delivered virtually for the entire seven (7) weeks. Occupational First Aid will be delivered in person with covid safety protocols in place with the organization providing the training.
Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs
The Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs program (EYE) believes that removing barriers to self-employment for young adults gives them the freedom to create their own opportunities to experience the life they want to live. We think the solution to a lack of opportunity is empowerment through entrepreneurial skills and experience.
This is why we created a program that joins young adults in their self-employment journey by providing coaching, learning opportunities, and financial support. Our goal is to give you the space and resources to launch a business within weeks and get the experience to continue to create your own opportunities for life.
More than a program, EYE is a community, and culture. We believe that anyone can be an entrepreneur given the opportunity to try. Young people deserve to get the most benefit more from the value of their work rather than giving it away to others. Self-employment is more attainable today than ever before and we want every young adult to benefit from the confidence, experience, and skills that come from being their own boss.
“Self-employment was always my end goal in life, something to do when I retired, where I could pick what I wanted to do day by day. But as the months dragged on of being stuck with meaningless part-time jobs and a pandemic stopping me from pursuing my career dreams. The idea of self-employment became more of a reality earlier on in my career. Why can’t I do both? I started my business with just some YouTube business tutorials and family advice, which ultimately lead to nothing. Until I heard from my aunt about the Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs Program – A place where I learned everything from writing a business plan to finding your customer’s needs and figuring out how to fill them. Where I got advice from industry professionals and learned the financial aspects of business ownership. In just seven weeks I have gone from having zero confidence in my business to being excited for its potential. To being ready to create and prepared for any challenges my business may have. Check out my Etsy shop and all my social medias at Hailey Bird Design.”
Hailey U. – Owner of Hailey Bird Design
Example Businesses
The Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs program is designed for youth to develop the skills, training and work connections to become self-employed in low overhead businesses like:
- Creating and selling custom t-shirts
- Starting a local rubbish removal service
- A zero-waste vegan street food company
- A professional ultimate Frisbee team-building service
- Starting a 100% plant-based home bakery
- Writing content for websites
- Debugging software as a freelance coder
- Opening a mobile hairstyling service
- Coordinating social media and marketing for small businesses… and so much more!
Who is Eligible for this training?
This program is exclusively for residents of Vancouver Island and the Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada. To be eligible participants must meet the following basic requirements:
- Are you a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or protected person legally entitled to work in Canada?
- Living in British Columbia
- Unemployed of precariously employed
- Between the ages of 15 and 29
- …and ready to be an entrepreneur!
7 Weeks of PAID Training Included
Workshops in:
Entrepreneurship Basics | Business Planning | Market Research | Branding | Traditional Marketing | Digital Content Marketing | Human Resources Basics | Financial Planning | Costing | Financing | Indigenous Cultural Awareness | Resiliency Skills | Entrepreneurial Style and Success Assessment | Assessments regarding Values and Personality Style | Certificates in Occupational First Aid and WHIMS
Participants can receive financial support including:
Up to $2625.00 in living expenses | Up to $1500.00 in start-up funding | Up to $650 in external self-employment training | and more…
Additional Support:
Guest Speakers | Business Coaching | Group Based Learning | One-to-One Coaching
Program Location
Empowering Youth Entrepreneur Program is conducted virtually.
Our Vancouver Island office is in Campbell River, British Columbia.
If you would like additional information, please contact us at the contact info below:
Empowering Youth Entrepreneur Program
Campbell River, British Columbia
Phone: 1-250-204-3386
Email: eye@missioncsc.org
Next Session
Our next session starts: July 28, 2021
(Program runs Monday to Friday from 9:00 am-3:30 pm)
Seats are limited so contact us today!
Funded by the Government of Canada through the Canada-British Columbia Workforce Development Agreement.
Register Download the Empowering Youth Entrepreneur Program Flyer
New entrepreneurs share their experience with Empowering Youth Entrepreneurs program
“I began the journey of self-employment because I was looking to create a community in which all bodies could embrace their true selves with the clothing they wear. My friend had mentioned how she was in the EYE program and I thought it would be a great way to build my entrepreneur skills – and this program has done that and more. I am now in the process of registering my small business, making a website, and learning how to effectively market my products. I am creating a made-to-measure line, and some beautiful fabric accessories which I am excited to share with the world. It is an exciting time to be in the fashion industry because a lot of people are searching for locally made apparel, and I am excited to be a part of that change.”
Keri G. – Owner of Garland Garments
