The North Island Self Employment Program
UPDATE: October 21, 2011.
This Program is in transition and there are no seats available at this time. The Program will be available to accept applications again on April 1, 2012. If you would like more information please do not hesitate to contact us: 250-956-2220 Ext: 223 or 1-877-956-2220.
The North Island Self Employment Program (NISEP) is an initiative of CFMW and is funded in whole or part through the Canada - British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement.
NISEP is offered in steps. The first step is to contact the North Island Employment (NIEFS) in Port Hardy to set up an appointment with a Career Counselor who will assist with completing a Return To Work Action Plan. The Counselor will then refer the applicant to the Community Futures NISEP Coordinator to receive an orientation to the Program and to complete the application. If the applicant is accepted NISEP will assist the particpant with living supports and technical supports for up to 48 weeks to implement the business idea. To get started, applicants can contact NIEFS at: 250-949-5736 - Toll Free: 1-877-949-5736.
NISEP particpants are able to collect E.I. Benefits to use for living supports and they can keep all their business income.
NISEP also offers:
- Bookkeeping instruction
- Business plan development instruction
- Workshops about marketing/advertising
- Counseling from the CFMW Business Analyst
- Ongoing support
ELIGIBILITY:
- You have a unique, viable business idea or you wish to purchase an existing business on the North Island or Mid Coast region
- You have been on an E.I. Claim within the last 3 years, or 5 years for Maternity or Paternity, or you are on a Claim now.
- You are unemployed or working less than 20 hours per week
- You are legally entitled to work in Canada
- You are a resident of the Mt. Waddington Regional District or the Central Coast Region
For more information about NISEP, please call Jenny Durke at 250 956-2220 - Toll Free: 1-877-956-2220.
Success stories
J & K's Takeaway
Jim and Kathy McCormick moved to Port Alice in 2009 to retire, or so they thought. After they settled in and got a feel for their new home, they realized that they wanted something challenging to fill their free time. They noticed that folks, who work at the "out of the way" places that surround the community of Port Alice, had nowhere, and no time to pick up a snack, a breakfast or a lunch. So Jim and Kathy started researching what it would take to purchase a mobile food truck to fill this need.
Jim applied to the Community Futures "North Island Self Employment Program" funded by in whole or part through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement, to receive financial and technical help to assist him throughout his first 52 weeks in business. He received help in developing a business plan, a marketing workshop and bookkeeping instruction. He also had to research all the Government requirements for providing a food service to the public. These were challenging times as Jim knew that he would not be allowed to prepare the food in his own home kitchen. Luckily he did eventually find a suitable kitchen in Port Alice and J & K's Takeaway was born.
Jim purchased a one ton fully equipped mobile food truck. The vehicle is equipped with custom food units attached and he can store hot and cold food with warming trays. The truck also has a full steam table in
the rear of the unit. The truck will provide breakfast, lunch items, snacks, coffee, tea and juices.
Jim caters mainly to the folks who work at the Neucel Pulp Mill, Western Forest Products Dryland Log Sort Operations, construction crews, tourists, the marina and anybody else who needs a coffee and a snack. Jim plans to extend his hours for the upcoming tourist season starting in late spring.
Everybody at Community Futures wishes them much success in 2011.
If you are near where Jim and Kathy hang out with the truck in Port Alice, be sure to drop by and pick up a beverage and one or two of Kathy's homemade chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies.
Port Hardy Wine
Port Hardy Wine is an established business that Christine Robitaille purchased last year. This business sells beer kits, equipment, product and accessories, and the processing of the beer and wine. It is located in the North Island's community of Port Hardy on Market Street.
Christine admits that she didn't have a lot of experience but she has the passion and energy to succeed.
Christine says that her past work experiences have given her the opportunity to acquire the skills that are necessary to successfully work with her customers.
The North Island Self Employment Program will assist Christine with training in marketing and bookkeeping. With the help of NISEP and the previous owners, who have trained her in wine making and other aspects of running this type of business, she is sure that this business will continue to be supported in the North Island.
All of us at CFMW congratulate Christine and wish her much success in her new business.
