Meaning of Self Employment

Self-employment can be defined as a situation in which an individual works for himself

or herself rather than working for an employer. It is a means of being your own boss.

A self-employed person can be a sole proprietor, an independent contractor, or a

freelancer. People must use their inner minds; they must be creative using their brains
and hands in doing something worthwhile.

The need for self employment

❖ It will reduce unemployment.

❖ It boosts creativity and innovations.

❖ A self-employed person becomes an employer of labour; thereby providing employment

for people.

❖ A self-employed person manages his/her income; he/she decides whether to save or

invest his/her money.

❖ He/she can be a lender to salary earners when their salary is delayed by their employers.

❖ A self-employed person can help in training other people.

Self employment projects

• Tailoring: this involves the design and production of fashionable clothes.

• Hair-styling: This requires a low capital to start up.This involves making people hair
adorable and beautiful in the salon.

• Painting: This is a very profitable and easy to work to learn. Painters engage in applying
colours to houses.

• Beading: This a craft of stringing beads together to make Jewelry or other decorative
items. Beads are commonly used as ornaments, especially among women to adorn
their body, and add beauty to their looks. It also requires Little capital to start up.

• Photography: This involves the art or process of producing images by

the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface (such as film or
an optical sensor). It’s a skill that can be learnt from a professional photographer.

Others include:

• Carpentry

• Facial make-up

• 8. Catering and events management

• 9. Baking etc.
 Evaluation
• What do you understand by the term “self-employment?

• What are the differences between employment, unemployment and self-

employment?