Residents in Lethbridge, Alberta, who are looking for work or wanting to increase their hours can now access a 26-week program designed to help them start their own businesses. This initiative comes as the local unemployment rate reached 7.4 per cent in January 2026, creating a greater need for new ways to find steady work in the community.
The program is delivered locally by Execuserv Plus Inc., an organization that has helped over 1,600 people become business owners since 1988. Participants receive free training, including workshops, one-on-one coaching, and help developing a professional business plan to ensure their new venture has a strong start.
To be eligible, individuals must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are currently receiving Employment Insurance, have received it in the past five years, or are working 20 hours or less each week. Applicants need to have a solid business idea and access to the money needed to get their project off the ground, as the program requires a full-time commitment for the duration of the training.
This training is provided at no cost through a partnership between the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada. Some participants may also be eligible for extra financial assistance to help cover their basic living costs while they focus on building their new companies.
Similar initiatives in other parts of the province have seen strong results, such as Business Works Central Alberta, which reports an 87 per cent successful applicant rate. In Calgary, a provider called Momentum also offers specialized support, highlighting the broad effort to grow local economies through small business ownership.
