Ontario Association of CFDCs Small Business Internship Program (SBIP) Get tomorrow’s global thinkers working for you today! E-commerce can change the way you do business! Presented by: Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation

What is the SBIP Program? In partnership with Industry Canada, The Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations Inc. (OACFDC) helps small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) adopt new e-business strategies What can this program offer you? Allow you to hire a student in communications and technology for a 12 week internship Reimburse you up to 75% of related wages and benefits Increase the productivity and competitiveness through information and communication technologies

How does the SBIP Program work? Application –Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) submit an application to the Northumberland Community Futures Development Corporation who will forward it to the appropriate delivery agent. Processing –The application is processed by the Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporation based on a set of eligibility criteria as well as the proposed e-commerce project Recruiting and hiring –If their application is approved, the SME recruits and hires a student intern to help them take advantage of information and communications technologies (ICT) to help grow their business. Reimbursement –Once the 12-week internship (420 hours) is over, the Government of Canada will reimburse 75 percent of their eligible costs Impact –The SME gets the information and communications technologies help they need to grow their business, and the student gets valuable on-the-job experience.

Student Eligibility Be between 15 and 29 years old at the project start date (inclusive) Must be a Canadian citizen and legally entitled to work in Canada Be enrolled in a post-secondary education program (or have recently graduated from such program) and intending to return to school Be pursuing education in an e-business and/or an Information and Communications Technology related field,

Small Business Eligibility Criteria Small or medium-sized enterprise with less than 500 employees Canadian Must be incorporated or sole proprietorships For profit New applicant to the program

Projects Support e-business marketing and market research for the firm Improve client/customer support for the firm using e-business and/or information and communication technologies (ICT) Enhance productivity of the firm using ICT and/or e-business Enhance visibility of the firm using e-business ICT and/or e- business Must employ a student full time for a minimum of 12 weeks, (specifically 420 hours)

For more information.. Stephanie Long Project Coordinator(SBIP) Ontario Association of Community Futures Development Corporations Inc. 300 South Edgeware Road, St Thomas, ON N5P 4L1 Phone: ext 22 Toll Free: ext.22 Fax: