April 21, 2011
Giving Graduates and Businesses an Advantage
Building on the momentum and success experienced in its initial year, the Provincial Government is launching the second year of its ExportAdvantage Internship Program and increasing its contribution to participating companies.“In an increasingly competitive, knowledge-driven business climate, the need to support local enterprises engaging in exporting activity is great,” said the Honourable Susan Sullivan, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. “Equally great is the need to provide graduates with the opportunity to engage in meaningful employment that matches their skills, knowledge and expertise. The ExportAdvantage Internship Program bridges these two worthy goals.”
In June 2010, the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development initiated the ExportAdvantage Internship Program, which enhances the exporting capabilities of companies by providing them the opportunity to hire individuals with trade and exporting training. For a period of 12 months, interns assist companies with export activities, such as identifying and conducting research into new market opportunities and developing an export strategy.
For the program’s second year, the Provincial Government is increasing the contribution to each of the participating companies from $25,000 to $30,000 to assist in covering a portion of the intern’s salary.
Brent Smith, owner of The Newfoundland Chocolate Company, one of the first
corporate participants, commented that “the internship program helped bring
focus to our export initiatives and the wage subsidy allowed the company to
hire a recent graduate. We are pleased with the results of the program.”
The company’s intern Krista Sweetland describes the experience as very
rewarding.
"This program has provided me the opportunity to work within my field of study,” said Ms. Sweetland. “I have significantly enhanced certain skills, such as my researching and networking abilities, plus I am learning new things and being challenged in new ways every day. I feel lucky to have been given this opportunity as a new graduate. It has given me a better perspective on my career path".
“As reflected by the comments of Mr. Smith and Ms. Sweetland, this program creates a win-win situation for everyone,” said Minister Sullivan. “It provides small businesses with a recent graduate who has skills and knowledge to assist in expanding export capabilities. Interns acquire valuable, hands-on experience and meaningful employment opportunities and the province benefits as our economy is further strengthened by an increase in new business activity in Newfoundland and Labrador.”
For more information about the ExportAdvantage Internship Program, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/intrd/exporting/eaip. The deadline for businesses to apply is May 6, 2011.
Creating a Province of Choice: A Youth Retention and Attraction Strategy for
Newfoundland and Labrador was launched on November 5, 2009. Developed by
youth, for youth, in close collaboration with business, labour, and
community leaders, the strategy is supported by a three-year $15 million
budget and contains 41 action items that are aimed at countering the impacts
of out-migration, strengthening the labour market and supporting the
economic development of the province.
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Media contact:
Bill Gregory
Communications Specialist
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
709-729-7311, 631-9892
billgregory@gov.nl.ca
2011 04 21 2:15 p.m.