The Ontario Self Employment Benefits (OSEB) Program
For those seeking a competitive advantage when starting a new business, the Ontario Self-Employment Benefit (OSEB) Program provides an extra edge that often proves to be the difference between success and failure. The program provides eligible unemployed people who want to start their own business with comprehensive business training, practical advisory assistance and up to one year of income support.

The formal training phase of the program focuses on all aspects of business preparation and planning. Upon graduation from the training phase, each participant has completed a well-prepared, comprehensive business plan for his or her particular business venture. In the remaining months of the program, participants receive ongoing business advisory services and income support for the start-up and development of their business.

Who Can Apply
The program is available to residents of Toronto who are unemployed and eligible for, or collecting, Employment Insurance (EI) Benefits.

A provision is made for eligible 'reachback' individuals who are currently unemployed and whose EI benefits ended within the past three years (or whose benefits started within the past five years for maternity or paternity benefits and are re-entering the labour market after having left it to care for newborn or newly adopted children.)

Prospective participants must agree to make a full-time commitment to their business, complete all the requirements of the OSEB Program and establish a viable business.

How the OSEB Program Works

• Phase I - Registration and Orientation
  Initially, contact your local Employment Assessment Centre where you will receive a needs determination and have a Return-to-Work-Action Plan developed. After this has been developed, contact TBDC to register for an Information Session.

  Prospective applicants will learn about the program, what is required in the application process, and decide whether or not they wish to apply and be considered for the program. Selection for Phase II is based on the information about the proposed business venture in the application.

• Phase II -Self-Assessment and Selection
  Prospective participants are provided with guidance and direction to assess the viability of their business idea, to make decisions about their personal effectiveness, and to judge their own suitability for self-employment.

  After the seminars and presentations in this phase are completed, the selection of participants for Phase III is made. Formal entry into the OSEB Program is granted to those reviewed and approved by Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). This selection process is competitive since participation is limited for each intake.

• Phase III - Self-Employment Development
  This formal training phase of the program provides practical, skill-based instruction based on adult learning principles, such as one-on-one advisory sessions, interactive group workshops and individual research. This phase typically lasts 10 weeks at TBDC.

  Instruction focuses on all aspects of business planning and skill development. Upon graduation from the training phase, each participant has completed a well-prepared, comprehensive business plan for his or her particular business venture.

• Phase IV - On-Going Business Support
  This phase of the program is designed to provide technical support and follow-up business advisor services to participants during the start-up and development phases of their businesses. Business advisors maintain regular contact with program participants, visiting their place of business to monitor the progress of each business. This phase typically lasts up to ten months.

The OSEB Record of Success
During the past fourteen years, the program has assisted in the start-up of over two thousand new businesses in Toronto. Many of these businesses generate above-average incomes and continue to grow year after year. Clients come from all age and demographic groups; and business types come from varied sectors. Women, visible minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Employment Ontario programs are funded in part by the Government of Canada.