The past two years have been ones of uncertainty and of grappling with change for those in the workforce, as the COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions set in on a global scale. 

Conservative estimates show that hundreds of thousands of jobs were lost across the country due to COVID-19, with as many as 396,500 lost in BC alone. 

Those who found themselves unemployed may have changed career paths or turned to Employment Insurance or CERB to help them maintain solvency, but many others took the opportunity to take the leap into starting their own business. 

For first-time business owners, WorkBC has specific programs designed to help people make the transition from unemployed to self-employed. 

“WorkBC does have a program for entrepreneurs who want to start a business but have not yet engaged in business or registered a business,” explained Deborah Petrovitch, Program Operations Manager for Merritt, Ashcroft and Lillooet. 

“Our program assists entrepreneurs to create a business plan and then receive support while they launch it, if their business plan is approved.”

WorkBC, in partnership with Kamloops based Community Futures Thompson Country, operates this program which offers consultation and Business Planning Workshops which range in length from seven to ten weeks.

For four weeks, potential entrepreneurs will learn about running a business and creating a plan to support their success by covering such topics as:

  • Business basics
  • Goal setting for success
  • Branding and marketing to your unique customer
  • Customer service excellence
  • Business financials
  • Business operations

Guest speakers will also provide presentations covering other important areas such as business banking and accounting, business insurance, legal matters pertaining to business and the use of social media for marketing. 

At the conclusion of this four-week instruction, participants will have two to three weeks to finalize their business plan. Ongoing coaching can be provided upon request and, in some instances, a living allowance may be extended through the start-up phase for WorkBC participants. 

“If our Merritt clients are unable to obtain financing through their bank, we refer them to Community Futures Nicola Valley to look at funding options,” said Petrovitch.

“There are some eligibility requirements; clients must be on EI or have been on EI for a certain amount of time. If they are accepted into the program and on EI, we can arrange approval with Service Canada so they can continue to receive their EI. If they aren’t currently receiving EI benefits, and are assessed as having financial need, clients can receive $1,200 per month once their business plan is approved.”

For persons with disabilities, there is also a customized self-employment program facilitated in house with a Vocational Counselor and Job Coach. 

Customized employment may be the most appropriate approach for clients in achieving self-employment outcomes under the following circumstances:

  • Due to disability-related considerations, a client’s participation in their business cannot exceed 20 hours or more;
  • The business level of business complexity does not require a comprehensive business plan, business loans required normally do not exceed $5,000 and structured entrepreneurial training is not required in order to implement the business;
  • Entrepreneurial training is normally not required to implement the business but may be permitted in exceptional circumstances;
  • The Client has unique needs requiring more individualized support to enable participation in services to achieve a Self-Employment outcome than that available through Self-Employment Services.

For those who already have an established small business, WorkBC offers a Wage Subsidy program aimed at helping employers attract workers during the province’s current labour shortage. 

Eligible employers will be given an opportunity through the wage subsidy to:

  • Cover a portion of employee wages;
  • Provide disability supports to reduce work-related barriers for an employee ;
  • Re-hire or recall laid off employees ;
  • Hire new employees.

Those interested in the Wage Subsidy Program are encouraged to reach out to the Community and Business Engagement Coordinator, Paula Murphy at [email protected] .