Program Eligibility Criteria: Preference will be given to an individual who is an unemployed person whom, when participating in the SE program is: - an active regular EI benefit claimant, or has had an EI benefit period that ended within the previous 60 months, or - has paid sufficient employee premiums (earned more than $2,000 / year employment income) in at least 5 of the previous 10 calendar years. Priority is given to individuals who: - Own 51% of the proposed business and - Are not receiving business training from a franchise company - Upon completion of formal instruction and business plan completion, you will be expected to begin implementation of your business on a full-time basis (minimum of 30 hours per week). You MUST be: Unemployed or underemployed (working 20 hours or less). Eligible to work in Canada. Possess the educational or pre-requisite skills needed to operate your business. 18 years of age or older. You MUST have: - A viable business idea for starting a new business or taking over an existing business where you have not had prior ownership. - The capital or access to capital needed to start and operate your business. - The personal attributes to be a successful entrepreneur. - The skills and knowledge of the products or services pertaining to your business.