Looking To Take That Next Step In E-Business? Check Out The Small Business Internship Program

A few months ago, we hosted an E-business series that included topics ranging from creating a website to selling products online and how to measure the success of your website.  Many of the participants left the series with hopes of implementing one or more e-business tactics within their business strategy.

Many small business owners, however, find it difficult to take that next step due to limited resources and/or lack of expertise.  The Small Business Internship Program seeks to improve the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by improving their e-business practices and technologies.

How does the program work?

The Internship Program provides SMEs with an opportunity to take advantage of the possibilities offered by e-business.

• The Small Business Internship Program could assist you in planning, developing, or executing an e-business project to improve productivity and competitiveness in the marketplace.
• SMEs receive financial support towards the employment of post-secondary students who will work on e-business projects.
• The Government of Canada reimburses up to 75% of the eligible wages and related expenses to a maximum of $10,000.
• The program helps develop opportunities for youth in internships with SMEs that foster their long-term employability and career development.
• All approved SMEs will hire a student-intern on a full-time basis, for a total of 420 hours.

Who is eligible to apply to the program?

To be eligible for the program, your business must:

• Be a Canadian small or medium-sized enterprise with less than 500 employees
• Be incorporated or a sole proprietorship and for-profit
• Have been in continuous operation for a minimum of one year
• Have an existing website and wish to enhance your e-business capability
• Contribute a minimum of 25% of the student wages and related expenses

To find out more about the program, visit the Small Business Internship Program website  and take that next step in your e-business strategy.

And don’t forget, the Halton Region Small Business Centre is here to help you.  If you have any questions, please call us at 1-866-442-5866, www.haltonsmallbusiness.ca, smallbusinesss@halton.ca or visit us at 1151 Bronte Road, Oakville. You can also follow us on Twitter @haltonecdev and Facebook at www.facebook.com/HaltonSBEC.