3 Aug, 2026
If you're currently receiving Employment Insurance and thinking about starting your own business instead of going back to a traditional job, there's a good chance you already qualify for funded support — most people just don't know it exists.
The Short Answer
Yes. Alberta has a government-funded program specifically for EI claimants who want to become self-employed instead of returning to the traditional job market. It's not a loan, and it's not a grant you apply for and hope to get — it's a structured training and mentoring program, fully funded, built around helping you build a business the right way.
At Anderson Career Training Institute (ACTI), that program is our Self-Employment Program, and it's one of the most underused resources available to Albertans right now.
Who Actually Qualifies
The program is designed for people who are:
Currently receiving regular EI benefits
Interested in self-employment as an alternative to returning to traditional employment
Willing to commit time to structured training and mentoring, not just a quick course
One important distinction: if you're on an EI special benefit — sickness, maternity, parental, or caregiving benefits — you don't qualify for this program. It's built specifically around regular EI claimants who are available for full-time training and are looking for their next step in the labour market.
If you do qualify, the cost isn't the barrier people assume it is — because there isn't one. The program is funded through EI, so there's no tuition for eligible participants.
It's also worth knowing upfront: participating in the program does not extend your EI benefit period. Your EI still runs on its normal timeline regardless of the 26-week program. If your EI claim ends before the program does, you may still be able to continue with additional support — see Foundational Learning Assistance below.
What the Funding Actually Covers
This isn't a one-time cash payment or a simple grant. It's a 26-week structured program, split into two phases:
10 weeks of classroom training — idea validation, market research, business planning, pricing, marketing and sales, and financial planning.
16 weeks of one-on-one mentoring and coaching — direct, ongoing support from experienced entrepreneurs and advisors as you actually launch.
That combination matters. A lot of funding programs stop at training and leave you to figure out the launch on your own. This one is built to carry you through both.
What Happens If Your EI Runs Out Before the Program Ends
Since the program doesn't extend your EI, it's a fair question — what if your claim ends partway through the 26 weeks?
Once you're approved into ACTI's Self-Employment Program, you can separately apply for Foundational Learning Assistance (FLA), a provincial funding program that can help cover education and living costs while you continue in an approved program. FLA is applied for after program approval, not instead of it, and it has its own eligibility rules — notably, like the Self-Employment Program itself, it's not available to people on EI special benefits.
The short version: apply and get approved for the Self-Employment Program first, then look at FLA if you need continued support beyond your EI claim.
Why This Matters More Than a Generic Business Course
Plenty of business courses exist — most of them cost money and teach in one direction: here's the theory, go build it. This program is different in two ways:
It's funded, so eligible participants aren't paying out of pocket while they're already navigating EI.
It's validation-first, meaning the classroom phase pushes you to test your idea with real customers before you're deep into the 16-week mentoring and launch phase — so you're not spending months of funded time building something nobody wants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay anything to join the Self-Employment Program? No. It's funded through Employment Insurance, so there's no cost to eligible participants.
Who is eligible? Albertans currently receiving regular EI who want to pursue self-employment instead of returning to a traditional job. People receiving EI special benefits (sickness, maternity, parental, or caregiving) are not eligible for this program.
Will joining the program extend my EI benefits? No. Your EI runs on its normal timeline regardless of the 26-week program.
What if my EI ends before the program is finished? Once you're approved into the Self-Employment Program, you can apply separately for Foundational Learning Assistance (FLA), a provincial program that can help with education and living costs while you continue.
How long does the program run? 26 weeks total — 10 weeks of classroom training followed by 16 weeks of one-on-one mentoring and coaching.
Is this the same as applying for a business grant? No. A grant is typically a lump sum you apply for. This is a structured program combining training, idea validation, and sustained mentoring — the funding covers your participation in the program itself, not a cash payout.
What if I don't have a business idea yet, just an interest in self-employment? That's fine. The classroom phase is built to help you identify and validate an idea, not just execute one you've already decided on.
Where do I apply? Through ACTI's Self-Employment Program information sessions — that's the first step to confirming eligibility and getting started.
Your Next Step
If you're on EI and have even a loose idea about working for yourself, the biggest mistake is assuming funded support like this doesn't exist or doesn't apply to you. It's worth 20 minutes to find out.
Over 30+ years, ACTI has helped more than 1,900 Albertans build their own businesses. Explore the Self-Employment Program and attend an upcoming information session to see if you qualify.
