Are you interested in taking training related to entrepreneurship, marketing, bookkeeping, or other areas to develop or grow your business? GDI may assist in funding tuition, books, and other costs associated with training. A living allowance may be applicable when attending in-class training. In-province and/or for-credit training programs are prioritized.

• GDI may fund 100% of total tuition costs up to a maximum of $10,000 lifetime per client (includes industry training). Clients must be intending to start their own business or be a business owner. Employees are not eligible.
• Maximum length of client training program is 1 year (52 weeks).
• Examples of potential training options include:
• • Sask Poly Online Bookkeeping 
  • Praxis School of Entrepreneurship
  • MNP Self-Employment Program
  • Edwards Certificate in Entrepreneurship

Are you a current business owner looking to attend industry training to expand and strengthen your business? For example, a self-employed welder may need safety ticket training or additional welding certifications to expand service offerings. GDI may assist in funding tuition, books, and other costs associated with training on a case-by-case basis. A living allowance may be applicable when attending training.

• GDI may fund 100% of total tuition costs up to a combined training maximum of $10,000 lifetime per client (industry and entrepreneurial training is total $10,000 combined). Applicants must be a current business owner. Employees are not eligible.
• A copy of a professionally completed business plan must be submitted to access industry training. Industry training requests must be directly linked to your current business industry.
• Industry training funding is not eligible for pre-revenue businesses. Prior financial statements may be requested. If you are not operating a business and are seeking training funding, please call 1-877-488-6888 and book an appointment with a regular career advisor.
• Maximum length of client training program is 1 year (52 weeks).
• Applicants need to have a history of operating the business to be eligible for industry training funding.
• Industry training requests for esthetician training, life coaching, RMT, personal training, wellness, yoga, reiki, and injectables have limited funding allocations and are strictly case-by-case.

Business professionals and consultants can greatly enhance the ability for businesses to be successful and profitable. Business decisions and strategies often require the involvement of a skilled professional.

• GDI may fund 100% of approved professional services up to a maximum of $10,000 lifetime amount.
• The professional services provider must be a neutral third-party, and not related to the applicant.
• Applicants must submit estimates prior to approval.
• This funding is not intended to be used as start-up capital.
  • Example: An applicant wants to buy used furniture and resell online. They have no revenue to date and want to develop an e-commerce platform to resell the furniture. In this case, the client has no business plan or sales history. This situation is not eligible for professional services funding.

Examples of eligible professional services may include:

• 25% Business Plan Reimbursement (for CCDF clients)
• First-year financial statements
• Bookkeeping consulting
• Accounting consulting
• Social media consulting
• Website development/consulting
• Management consulting
• Sales and marketing consulting
• Legal consulting
• General business consulting
• Business valuation (with lender recommendation)

Professional Services that are not eligible include, but are not limited to:

• Franchise fees
• Engineering/architecture/design fees
• Fees including software and supplies or tangible assets
• Advertising expenditures
• Signage and vinyl graphics printing

Undercapitalization is a common problem for new businesses and start-ups, as positive cash flows are minimal or may be non-existent. If you have completed a professional business plan and secured financial commitment (if required), you may be eligible to receive a transition allowance for up to 26 weeks.

• To be eligible, applicants must be starting their first business, and must be transitioning to self-employment
• Clients must provide a professionally completed business plan, and letters of financial support/commitment
• Applicants who are receiving EI benefits are not eligible (applicants will be advised to stay on EI until they are no longer eligible to receive EI benefits)
• Clients must not work externally in excess of 25 hours per week.
• For partnerships and incorporated businesses, a maximum of one Métis business owner is eligible for the transition allowance.
• The start-up business must be a full-time business and not a casual business
• Funding amounts vary from $250-$400 per week, contingent upon an applicant’s number of dependent children under age 18

GDI may provide applicants who are starting their first business $500 when they make their fist customer sale.

• Client must provide a copy of a sales receipt
• Bonus is only available to applicants who are creating a brand new business
• Bonus is payable to the applying Métis business owner
• Applicant must have a completed business plan