Native Women's Association of Canada Website

and public sector partnerships to streamline the delivery of programs and services tosmall businesses throughout Western Canada. Our Points of Service database canassist with locating the WD office nearest you.2.0 PROGRAM: WESTERN DIVERSIFICATION FUND PROGRAMS2.1 First Jobs ProgramThe First Jobs Program helps small firms hire science and technology grads to performtechnology adoption projects aimed at increasing productivity. As well as providing yourfirm technological expertise, the program also provides many young western Canadianstheir "first job" in areas related to their field of training and their chosen careers.2.2 International Trade Personal ProgramThe International Trade Personnel Program (ITPP) is designed to help small andmedium-sized businesses enhance their international competitiveness and to provideemployment opportunities for unemployed or under-employed post-secondarygraduates.2.3 WD Sponsored Loan ProgramsWD is creating new and alternative sources of capital for small and medium-sizedbusinesses by working closely with financial institutions to create a specialized series ofloan programs. These loan programs target industry sectors important to WesternCanada and provide patient and flexible debt capital on terms especially suited to theunique needs and cash flow requirements of these small businesses.These programs are provided on commercial terms by financial institutions such aschartered banks, credit unions, trust companies, cooperatives, the Farm CreditCorporation and the Business Development Bank of Canada. Each lending institutionfunds its own program and makes the decision on all loan approvalsTo help small and medium-sized businesses access these specialized loan programs,WD:provides expertise for developing and refining business plans, completingtechnology reviews and preparing other documentation required by a lendinginstitution.leads the formation of private sector industry advisory groups. These groupsadvise WD and lending institutions on strategies to support a targeted industryand on the administration of individual loan programs. The advisory groups donot assess loan applications.Pg. 257