The Ontario Self Employment Benefit (OSEB) Program

Program Overview

The Business Enterprise Centre – Owen Sound and Area (BEC) co-ordinates the OSEB Program in Grey and Bruce.  The OSEB program is an Employment Ontario program designed to provide “Employment Insurance (EI) eligible” or “Reachback” clients with income and entrepreneurial support while they develop and implement their business plan.  The program provides the necessary training and counseling and personal income support to launch full-time new businesses in the Grey and Bruce region.  The application process consists of eligibility, suitability, business planning training, advisory and plan assessment.  If accepted, income support is available for the first 42 weeks of business operations.  Business skills enhancement training, ongoing business advisory services and networking opportunities are all part of the program.  When operating their business under the program, clients are monitored by Bruce Community Futures Development Corporation (BCFDC) under the management of the BEC.  Clients must first work with an Employment Advisor to determine eligibility and suitability for self-employment as a career option and then be referred to the BEC.  Referral services are provided by the following:

Grey County

Owen Sound
The Family Y Employment Resource Centre
1450 1st Ave West, Owen Sound
519-371-9222
employmentservices@ymcaowensound.on.ca

Hanover
The Family Y
425 10th St. Unit 7, Hanover
519-364-3163
employmentservices@ymcaowensound.on.ca

Bruce County
VPI – Walkerton Office 200 McNab St., Suite 203, Walkerton
519-881-4900
info.bruce@vpi-inc.com

Assessment and Application Phase

Please note:  Being referred to the Assessment and Application Session does not imply that a client has been approved for the OSEB Program.

Referred clients will attend a two day session of self and risk assessment, personal suitability, financial worth and considerations and business idea development. They will complete a 3 to 4 page business concept paper that will then be assessed and reviewed for its feasibility by representation from BCFDC and the BEC.

These sessions are two days in length and run 9:30 am – 3:30 pm and are held on a quarterly basis in Owen Sound and Walkerton.

Clients who are recommended will have an opportunity to move onto the OSEB Program Business Plan Development Phase.

OSEB Program

(If approved, this is when the OSEB Program and 42 weeks of support begins)

Part A- Business Plan Development Phase

The BEC will work with clients who have passed the assessment / evaluation of their concept paper idea, to develop their idea more fully, learn the components of entrepreneurship, idea identification, market research, competitive analysis, market analysis, marketing plans, financial forecasting and full business plan development.  During the Business Plan Development Phase, clients will receive 10 days of classroom style instruction and will develop a business plan.  Classes are staggered to provide clients with an opportunity for individual work related to their business plan on non-classroom days.  

These sessions run from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm and are held in Owen Sound.

Business Plan Evaluations:  
Clients will submit their completed business plans to the BEC for evaluation by a representative from BCFDC and the BEC.  This will be followed by an interview similar to the concept interview.  Clients who are recommended will begin implementing their business plan and start their business.

 

Part B - Implementation Phase

During the Implementation Phase clients implement their business plan and start running their business.  During this phase clients will be monitored and are responsible for reporting their business activities and progress.  Workshops and mentoring support are available.