StarBuzz Weekly, Toronto-The Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program
As part of the Government of Canada’s commitment to developing a Digital Economy Strategy, Budget 2011 announced measures to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies, build digital skills, and showcase Canada’s digital technologies.
The Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program, an $80 million investment over three years starting in fiscal year 2011-2012, is designed to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies by more than 600 small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in any sector or location across Canada.
The program has three goals: supporting and increasing the adoption of digital technologies in SMEs in all sectors of the economy; raising awareness of the productivity benefits and importance of these technologies, and; improving our understanding of the link between digital technologies and productivity by gathering data from participating firms. The awareness-raising and data-gathering aspects of the program will help a greater number of Canadian firms benefit from lessons learned by pilot participants during the program’s three years.
Firms interested in adopting digital technology into their operations (i.e., production lines, workflow processes, or supply chain or customer management systems) might be eligible to receive advisory services and/or a financial contribution of up to $99,999 through the pilot program.
Colleges and not-for-profit organizations will help to deliver the pilot program by providing access to services, training, expertise and use of facilities and diagnostics that SMEs may not otherwise be able to afford. Participating SMEs may find themselves in a better position to innovate, cut costs, create jobs, improve the efficiency of their supply chains, and boost their overall productivity.
Building upon the National Research Council of Canada’s Delivery Capacity
The National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) has been assisting and supporting innovative, growth-oriented small- and medium-sized enterprises for over 60 years. NRC-IRAP is recognized internationally as a best practice government program in fostering innovative capabilities of SMEs, and therefore is well positioned to expand its business model to deliver this new pilot program. With more than 200 business and technology experts located in over 100 communities acrossCanada, NRC-IRAP already provides advisory services and financial support to qualified small- and medium-sized enterprises. Program participants will be able to approach and leverage these existing experts.
Engaging Colleges to Assist Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises
The Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program will also include funding for colleges to deliver services and expertise to small- and medium-sized enterprises. Colleges will play an important role in the Program’s success, since they have particular expertise with respect to digital technology adoption and hands on implementation. Colleges can include community colleges, institutes of technology, not-for-profit post-secondary private colleges and public colleges such as CEGEPs.
For more information about the Digital Technology Adoption Pilot Program, visit
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