Run a successful contracting small business in Ontario
Establishing a Contracting Small Business Micro-credential (ODE)
Build on your trades or construction experience and develop skills to start and run your own enterprise. Explore business planning, safety regulations, labour laws and more!
Program information
Program description
The Establishing a Contracting Small Business in Ontario stacked micro-credential program allows individuals already experienced in trades or construction to develop the skills and knowledge required to set up and operate their own enterprise. Students will develop a viable business plan that will meet industry-specific regulatory requirements and establish the foundation needed to begin their business operations. With a specific focus on doing business in Ontario, participants will build the skills and knowledge needed to comply with relevant health and safety regulations, follow requirements of the Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB), adhere to industry and labour laws, and fulfill obligations relating to mandatory employee training.
Students obtain a digital badge after completing each of the four micro-credentials and then an overall Establishing a Contracting Small Business in Ontario stacked micro-credential badge attesting to the successful completion of all four.
What are the admission requirements for the Establishing a Contracting Small Business micro-credential?
Establishing a Contracting Small Business Micro-credential (ODE) admission requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
- Grade 12 Mathematics (C, M or U)
What courses are included in the Establishing a Contracting Small Business program?
Students will obtain a digital badge after completing each module. Successfully completing all four modules will result in the overall Establishing a Contracting Small Business in Ontario stacked micro-certificate badge.
Note: Participants are to register by the course start date and must complete the course by the course end date. Each module is expected to take up to twelve hours in total to complete but there is no time limit, as long as the module is completed by the last day of the semester.
Currently available courses are linked below.
How do I apply to the Establishing a Contracting Small Business program?
Register on a course-by-course basis, paying as you go
Part-time students do not go through an application process for this program. To register for courses, you’ll need a Georgian College student number.
- From the course listing, select the course(s) you want to register for
- Add the course(s) to your cart and proceed to checkout for payment
- If you’re a first-time registrant, you’ll need to request student number via the online form
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Finance and fees
As a part-time student, you may be eligible for OSAP funding, depending on the number of courses you take per semester.
For more information about OSAP, including eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the OSAP/financial aid webpage.
There is no program fee when studying part-time. As a part-time student, you can take one to three courses per semester, paying on a course-by-course basis.
For course fee information, select a course from the course information section of this page.
Online learning
These courses are offered through OntarioLearn. Visit the OntarioLearn webpage to learn more.
OntarioLearn courses are set up as equivalents to the Georgian courses. You can choose to take the ODE courses or the Georgian courses.
When a Georgian course isn’t available to be delivered online, we’ve listed an OntarioLearn course in the delivery schedule. The majority of the Georgian courses have ODE equivalents set up. You can choose to take either course.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
Previous postsecondary education: If you’ve completed courses, or some or all of a program, at another accredited postsecondary institution, you may be able to transfer all or some of your courses into a related program at Georgian.
Relevant work or life experience: If you have relevant work and/or life experience that relates to your program(s) of interest at Georgian, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is an academic credit option.
To learn more about transfer credit and PLAR, visit the Credit for Prior Learning webpage.