Small Business Internship Program

What is it?

Industry Canada's Small Business Internship Program provides small and medium-sized businesses with up to $10,000 to hire a post-secondary student to implement e-business (internet-based) strategies for greater productivity and competitiveness.

Who qualifies?

To be eligible for this program, your firm must:

• be a small or medium-sized enterprise with less than 500 employees;
• be incorporated or a sole proprietorship;
• wish to enhance your e-business capability; and
• contribute 25 per cent of the student wages and related expenses.

How will my company benefit?

This funding will defray the cost of adopting e-business practices and technologies that allow your firm to actively market its products online, reaching new customers in new markets. It could help you move from a passive Internet presence to one that reaches out to engage customers and increase sales.

The Government of Canada will reimburse you for 75 per cent of the eligible wages and related expenses to hire a post-secondary student to carry out your project. Financial support of up to $10,000 is available for a total of 12 weeks.

In addition to growing your business, you will help a student gain valuable on-the-job experience.

For example...

• Your company wants to develop an on-line order system to market products regionally and keep inventory stocking cycles up to date. The SBIP funding allows you to hire a community college co-op student to build your company's web capacity.
• Your company wants to uses your small, but growing, online customer base as a test market for new products. To do so, you use funding from the program to hire a co-op student from a local university business program.

How does it work?

Once your project is approved, you can proceed in hiring and advertising your student intern position at universities and colleges or other job advertisements as appropriate. You negotiate the salary with the chosen intern, and the benefits they may receive. When the 12-week internship is over, the Government of Canada will reimburse 75 percent of the eligible costs, up to a total of $10,000. The internship must be completed by March 31, 2010.

How do I apply?

Applications guidelines and forms are online at www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/sbip-pspe.nsf/eng/home (click on "Forms"). You must submit your application to one of the organizations responsible for the program (click on "Where to Apply" on the same website). The deadline for applications is Dec. 21, 2009.

Where can I find more information?

More information is available online at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/sbip-pspe.nsf/eng/home.

We're here to help

To find out how the Business Development Branch at OMAFRA can provide you with knowledge, connections and resources to help grow your business, call us toll-free at 1-888-466-2372, Ext. 64474 or email us at foodinvest@ontario.ca. For information about this program and others, as well as our branch, visit www.omafra.gov.on.ca/english/food/.