Atlantic Canada Business Grants

Skills and Immigration

START Program Nova Scotia

by |

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Subsidy

Description:

The START program offers financial incentives to businesses and organizations that have business locations and jobs in Nova Scotia to help them hire Nova Scotians who need work experience. There will be a focus on SMEs.

Benefits of the Nova Scotia Start Program:

The Start Program provides a range of career opportunities for unemployed individuals looking to enter the workforce. The program helps connect job seekers with employers who have vacancies that need to be filled.

One of the main benefits of the Start Program for job seekers is the letter of recommendation that they receive after applying. This letter helps market their skills and experience to potential employers, making it easier for them to find a job.

In addition to the letter of recommendation, the Start Program also provides job seekers with access to training and education opportunities. By participating in these programs, job seekers can improve their skills and increase their chances of finding employment in their desired field.

Employers who participate in the Start Program also benefit from the program’s incentives. These incentives include wage subsidies and other types of funding that can help offset the cost of hiring an unemployed Nova Scotian. By participating in the program, employers can find qualified candidates for their job vacancies and receive financial support to help with the cost of training and development.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is up to a maximum of $25,000 per hire, and at ENS’ discretion.
Incentives will vary depending on the type of employment offered and the skill level of the employee. Incentives can be used to pay for individual’s wages, MERC, training costs or other related costs associated with hiring of a new employee.

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be a business, organization (Not-for-profit and Social Enterprises), with a focus on SMEs,
  • be located in Nova Scotia,
  • have its employees working in the province.

The individual he hires must be:

  • Nova Scotia resident,
  • unemployed and actively seeking full time or increasing employment,
  • Canadian citizens or permanent residents legally entitled to work in Canada OR be an international graduate (additional criteria may apply).

Application Steps:

1

Applicant must register in the online Labor Market Programs Support System (LaMPSS),

2

Applicant must complete the application form and submit it electronically.

Documentation Needed: 

The applicants must attach a Job Description as supporting documentation.

Program Contact:

START program: hiring incentive

START-Program-Guidelines.pdf

Self Employment (SE) Program

by |

Amount:

No Fixed Amount

Type of Program:

Grants

Description:

The Self Employment (SE) program provides entrepreneurial support and financial assistance to Labor Market Development Agreement (LMDA) eligible, unemployed Nova Scotia participants starting their own business. The maximum duration of an agreement with a participant is 40 weeks. 

In addition to financial support, the Self Employment (SE) Benefit program offers training and support to help participants start and grow their businesses, including mentorship opportunities and business planning workshops.

Mentorship Opportunities

Participants can access mentorship opportunities through the program’s partnership with the Centre for Entrepreneurship Education and Development (CEED). CEED provides one-on-one mentorship to help participants develop their business plans, identify potential customers, and develop marketing strategies.

Business Planning Workshops

The Self Employment Benefit Program offers business planning workshops to help participants develop their business plans. These workshops cover a range of topics, including market research, financial planning, and marketing strategies.Workshops are led by experienced business professionals who can provide guidance and feedback as participants develop their plans.

Comments on Funding:

The applicant currently receiving Employment Insurance, may continue to receive his regular Employment Insurance benefits until the end of your benefit period, after which he may be eligible to receive a living allowance to the end of his Self-Employment agreement.

If the applicant is not in receipt of Employment Insurance benefits, he may be eligible to receive financial assistance for living expenses. Temporary financial assistance may be provided in exceptional circumstances to cover all or part of the following costs related to participation (e.g., dependent care, disability needs, tuition costs, transportation and accommodation).

When It Ends:

Ongoing

Deadline:

Rolling Deadline

Eligibility:

The applicant must:

  • be a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident who is currently a resident of Nova Scotia,
  • be unemployed or considered employed less than 20 hours per week (on average over the past year),
  • have a current Employment Insurance (EI) claim,
  • have had an EI claim that ended within the last 60 months,
  • have been employed with gross insurable earnings of $2000 or higher annually, in at least 5 of the last 10 years,
  • be starting their own business,
  • have had received benefits under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB),
  • work in conjunction with a Self Employment Service Provider who must approve his Business Concept as well as his Business Plan,
  • contribute $3,300, or 100% of the investment required to launch and operate the business if less than $3,300.

Application Steps:

1

Applicant must visit a Nova Scotia Works Centre in his local area who will advise him on his options and help him with the Self-Employment application process.

2

Applicant must receive an employment assessment and develop a Return to Work Action Plan with a case manager. The case manager's decision is required before Employment Nova Scotia can assess your application.

3

Applicant must submit the application.

Documentation Needed:

The applicant must provide proof to Employment Nova Scotia of the required client contribution amount (a bank statement, loan evidence, statement of ownership, etc.)

Other Things to Note:

Individuals who have received a payment under the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) are now eligible to apply for employment programs that are delivered by Employment Nova Scotia.

Program Contact:

Self Employment | Employment Nova Scotia

Self Employment Benefit Worksheet Employment Nova Scotia