Venn Launches Program to Match Interns With Companies Doing Export Development
MONCTON – Venn Innovation has launched a program to support small and medium-sized enterprises in New Brunswick that are looking to export their products abroad.
The Export Internship Program will subsidize 75 per cent of the salary of a recent graduate hired as an intern, up to a maximum of $30,000. Companies selected into the program will have to contribute at least 25 per cent ($10,000) to the intern’s salary. Venn is accepting applications from December 1 to January 15.
Funding for the program comes from Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and the provincial government’s Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour department.
Venn COO Barbara Ells said the program aims to address two challenges the region faces. First, to help companies find sales and marketing expertise, as well as penetrate the international market. Second, to keep bright students in the province.
“So how can we make attractive opportunities or connect [students] with opportunities. Well, by de-risking it for companies,” she said. “Because bringing in an intern is a commitment for companies, especially smaller companies. So, it’s just to help address those issues and to give companies a little bit of support in bringing on junior staff.”
The focus on exports is part of efforts to grow the economy in New Brunswick and Atlantic Canada.
How do we help our companies get into new markets? There’s only so much revenue you can generate internally. We need to bring business in from outside,” Ells said.
There are 10 spots to be filled in the program. Small and medium companies in any sector can apply, as long as they’re incorporated in New Brunswick, have generated revenue in the last 12 months, are export-ready or are already exporting products.
They must also commit to employ the intern for one year and provide them with employment opportunities in their study field. Once selected, the companies have to pay a $1,000 fee to Venn Innovation to confirm their participation.
The companies will be responsible for finding their own intern who also needs to fit the program’s requirements. Interns would have to be graduates from a recognized post-secondary institution within the past three years with completed studies in business or trade. When hired, they are expected to live in New Brunswick. They will help develop the company’s export strategy, assist with market research, and take part in trade shows, among other things.
The interns will also receive training in export development. A maximum of $,1000 per intern will also be available for various education workshops, seminars and courses to boost their skills in international business development.