Evening skills classes in a rented room

Adults looking to learn a hobby or work skill after their day job, paying a fee per course.

Course fee per student, plus materials fees where relevant. Income depends on class size, price and how many courses you run each term.

• Strong knowledge of one subject
• Clear teaching and patience
• Marketing and organizing a schedule

• Commercial general liability insurance, and check what the venue requires
• Some provinces regulate private career colleges or vocational training, check your provincial regulator before teaching job-focused courses or issuing certificates
• Check if you need a municipal business licence and whether GST/HST applies once revenue grows
• Winter weather can affect attendance, so plan make-up sessions

Estimates put startup costs typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on room hire, insurance and teaching materials. You rent a classroom, hall or studio by the hour, so costs vary with how often you run courses.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $3,500, depending on class sizes, course fees and how many courses you run. The estimate assumes at least 6 hours a week, and winter weather may affect attendance.

Check commercial general liability insurance and what the venue requires. Some provinces regulate private career colleges or vocational training, so check your provincial regulator before teaching job-focused courses or issuing certificates. Also check municipal business licences and whether GST/HST applies.