The Youth Entreneaurship Project has reached capacity and registration for the project is now closed. Please check back here in early 2017 for details about future youth entrepreneurship projects at The Working Centre.
This page will also be updated with information about our new entrepreneurship space opening up at 256 King St. East!
Please email us if you have any questions about Youth Entrepreneaurship Projects at The Working Centre: yep@theworkingcentre.org
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The Working Centre’s Youth Entrepreneurship Project (YEP) works with people under the age of 30 to:
- Gain entrepreneurship skills and launch a small business or self-employment venture;
- Support youth-led business development through self-employment or small business ownership.
As part of this project, you will work with a Business Facilitator to create an IEP (independent entrepreneurial plan) that is right for your business!
Your IEP will help you to:
- Complete a Business Model Canvas (An effective planning tool that can help focus, structure and strengthen your business idea!)
- Complete training modules that suit your business needs
- Develop/complete a well-researched business plan
- Present your business plan to a Business Plan Review team
Completion of your IEP tasks qualifies you to access a YEP micro-grant based on a review by a panel of industry partners who offer mentorship, advice and suggestions.
Who is the YEP program for? You will need to:
- be under age 30
- have a viable small business idea
- be a Canadian citizen, legally entitled to work in Canada, permanent resident, or granted refugee status
- be able to commit to 20 hours per week to work on your business
- contribute within the network of YEP participants by sharing your expertise, experience and/or energy
- not be enrolled as a full-time student
- attend weekly networking sessions and other workshops
- complete your entrepreneurship IEP (see above)
Priority is given to youth who face challenges/barriers to starting a small business and who would benefit from additional supports in making their business ideas possible.
We are particularly interested in exploring ways you can launch a business in a part-time way, while also supporting your livelihood through a part-time job – are there ways this approach puts less stress on the start-up of your business, but still supports your household income?
