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Introduction

The Business Enterprise Network is committed to providing effective self-employment and related services to youth in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). We have been delivering training and support to aspiring entrepreneurs since 1994. Our accomplishments include: the 1997 Black Youth in Business Conference, The Black Youth in Business Needs Survey in 1998 and the Access to Self-Employment Training (ASET) Program that began in 1999.

Since that time we have successfully engaged over 3500 potential entrepreneurs in pursuing their goal of becoming successfully self employed, contributing members of our community. We have accomplished that objective through the provision of outreach activities designed to recruit hard-to-serve, at risk, marginalized and diverse group of youth. The development of the Self-Employment Resource Centre, equipped with up-to-date business related information, along with case management and business coaching support services to ensure that file documentation and effective client tracking mechanisms are in place. Further, our core service, the ASET program and graduation ceremony have provided entrepreneurs with training required to realistically assess their ability to pursue self employment as a viable option to working for others. 

The principal focus of the ASET Program is to serve youth, ages 15-30, and assist them in developing the tools necessary to be self-employed and/or identify the need for additional education/training. In its unique design, the Program is also equipped to address non self-employment needs of clients to ensure a complete approach to service delivery.

During the six months of operation, the ASET Program was successful in expanding service delivery to meet the growing challenges of our diverse client base with the addition of the business coach. The results of our participant satisfaction surveys, conducted with all participants, overwhelmingly indicated the need to provide a more detailed, focused, and enhanced level of services to an expanded target group.

Background

The concept of an integrated self-employment service for youth had been a recognized local area need since the mid 1990’s. The vision of a  “one-stop shopping” multi-service environment was first established through a 1997 needs study and a subsequent series of community forums and focus groups attended by youth and service providers. The consultations identified the need areas of self-employment, education and personal development.

As a result of the dedication and work of numerous individuals and organizations, the vision became a reality when the Access to Self-Employment Training (ASET) Program started on January 11, 1999.

ASET is a partnership model offering a variety of programs and services in a complete approach geared primarily towards youth. The funder, Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC), and coordinator, the Business Enterprise Network, have both assumed partnership roles with Community Partners Action Group (CPAG).