KOMOKA, Ontario, June 12, 2009  — Bev Shipley, MP on behalf of The Honourable Diane Ablonczy, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism), today announced the roll-out of a new program to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) grow in the knowledge economy and to help students get jobs in the field of information and communications technologies (ICT).

Industry Canada’s Small Business Internship Program (SBIP) will assist Canadian small businesses to hire a total of 400 student interns annually nationwide to help with ICT projects, improving their productivity and competitiveness.

“SBIP will help numerous small businesses here in Middlesex County and in surrounding areas grow through the power of ICT and e-commerce,” said Bev Shipley.  Just as importantly, this program will allow post-secondary students across Canada to gain valuable work experience, while earning money for their education.”

SBIP will allow Canadian small businesses to submit an application to the program for the opportunity to directly hire a qualified student intern for a 12-week period to help them with e-commerce ICT projects. SBIP will reimburse up to 75 percent of each participating SME’s eligible salary and benefit costs.

“It is vital in these times of economic instability that we do whatever we can to help small businesses, which account for so many jobs in South Western Ontario added Bev Shipley. “As well, we need to ensure that the youth of South Western Ontario have the skills and experience to take advantage of the opportunities that will arise as the economy improves. SBIP will help to address these needs.”

SBIP is a collaborative effort of Canadian small businesses, post-secondary institutions and non-government organizations that offers qualified post-secondary students hands-on experience working on e-commerce projects under the mentorship and coaching of entrepreneurs.

SBIP will receive $17.5 million in funding through 2014 as part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy.

For more information on the SBIP, including a complete list of delivery agencies, please visit the SBIP website at http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/sbip-pspe.nsf/eng/home .