Small Business Internship Program (SBIP)

What is the SBIP Program?  The Small Business Internship Program (SBIP) helps small and medium-sized businesses (SME’s) adopt an active e-business strategy that will help them prosper during the current economic instability.  SBIP provides financial support to qualified SME’s so they can hire student interns to assist them adopt information and communications technologies (ICT). This support will help participating SME’s increase their productivity and competitiveness in order to grow their businesses.  SBIP also offers promising post-secondary students valuable, hands-on job experience working on e-business and ICT projects under the guidance of entrepreneurs.  Student interns will gain an appreciation of entrepreneurship and the opportunity to explore career possibilities while making money to continue their education.

How does the SBIP Program work?  Small and medium-sized businesses (SME’s) from rural and Northern Ontario submit an application to the Ontario Association Community Futures Development Corporation.  If their application is approved, they can hire a student intern to help them take advantage of information and communications technologies (ICT) to help grow their business.  Once the 12-week (420 hours) internship is over, the Government of Canada will reimburse 75 percent of their eligible costs.  The SME gets the information and communications technologies help they need to grow their business, and the student gets valuable on-the-job experience.

What are the eligibility requirements? Eligible beneficiary: Private commercial sector, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs); Desire to increase E-business and create employment opportunities; Must be an incorporated for-profit business or a registered sole- proprietorship. Eligible activities: Eligible activities are those directly related to youth intern employment, and involve one or more of the following activities: Support E-business marketing and market research for the firm; Improve client/customer support for the firm using E-business and/or ICT; Enhance productivity of the firm using E-business and/or ICT; Enhance visibility of the firm using E-business and/or ICT. Non-eligible activities include: Projects aimed at supporting educational activities, conferences, workshops, exhibitions and promotional materials, magazines, guides, folders and training programs, are not eligible.

What are the eligibility requirements? Eligible costs: This program offers financial assistance for the private sector SMEs. It subsidizes wage expenses for: Post-secondary student interns between the ages of 15 and 29; For full-time employment of up to 420 hours; 75 % of wages and mandatory benefits up to a maximum of $10,000 per internship.Eligible costs that can be claimed by participating SME’s are 75% of the student interns’ wages and related expenses such as statutory employee benefits: Employment Insurance 2.42% Canada Pension Plan 4.9% Vacation Pay 4% WSIB 0.015% Total %

What are Students required to do? 1.Ensure you meet eligibility Criteria: Be between 15 and 29 years old at the project start date (inclusive) Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada or person who has been granted refugee status in Canada 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 ICT related field, which may include any field where ICT knowledge and skills are important e.g. computer sciences, media design, business, engineering 1.Check out local university/college job boards and career centres. 2.Approach employers with a project idea and inform them about the program.

What are SME’s required to do? 1.Ensure their business and project meet the eligibility criteria. 2.Download and submit application form with supporting document to appropriate delivery agent. 3.Once approved, the SME may use resources at local universities and colleges in order to recruit student intern, and/or their normal recruitment process. 4.Send required documents to delivery agent throughout the employment term.

E-Business Defined At the end of this program participants will be able to: Define E-business Understand 3 types of E-business Understanding key E-business assessment steps Definition: E-business is the use of Internet technology to facilitate doing business *NOTE: E-Business is different than E-Commerce is the use of the internet for financial gain

3 Types of E-Business Business to Consumer – Typically refers to retail Business to Business – Typically refers to wholesale Business to Government – Federal, Provincial, Municipal, First Nations ie. funding research, information

Key E-business Assessment Steps  Identify the ‘business’ opportunity  Plan Set business goals Research option(s) for a technical solution Research option(s) for an implementation solution Research costs Calculate potential ROI’s based on reasonable assumptions Determine sustainability requirements Determine required policy Determine risks including liability Determine evaluation criteria and measurements Gain decision makers support  Implement Documentation Knowledge transfer for sustainability Evaluation framework

What is the relationship between OACFDC and NODN? Sub-regional Delivery Agents Northwestern Ontario Development Network The sub-regional delivery agent will be responsible for marketing the program, handling initial inquiries from SMEs, processing and approving SME applications, performing a midterm report and ensuring the SME submits all necessary documents. OACFDC to handle all contracts

The Bottom Line SMALL BUSINESS INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (SBIP) 75% of student intern wages paid by Government of Canada to small businesses for E-commerce projects All Projects must be completed between April 1 st, 2010 and March 31 st, 2011 Any questions or concerns regarding the application process for the Small Business Internship Program may be directed to: Toll free ext. 22, or Application Form and Guidelines may be found at The Small Business Internship program is supported in part by contributions from the Government of Canada.

Thank You NOMA and Marathon Dan Brenzavich- Executive Director Northwestern Ontario Development Network (NODN)