ON: Many students know how hard it is to go from the classroom to the workforce, now a new program is hoping to bridge the gap and help both students and businesses achieve success.

The provincial government will be investing $16.89 million for a new internship program that will take 1,750 graduate students across the province away from the classroom and into the work world.

The program is open to all graduate student researchers enrolled in an Ontario university. They are set to spend over half of their time within the company for four months. The rest of the time will be spent in the classroom.

A problem, which will be identified by the student, business and internship coordinator, will be the intern's main project.

Many universities across the province have already confirmed their involvement in the Accelerate Ontario – Ontario's graduate research internship program. They include: York University, Carleton University, University of Guelph, among others.

In turn, many companies have also signed up for the program. They will include: IBM Canada, Dainty Foods, and Canada Inc, to name a few.

"By funding these cutting-edge internship projects, we are helping students find new opportunities to grow and develop into the innovators we need to ensure Ontario succeeds in the future," said Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, John Milloy.

Each internship will cost $15,000. This cost will be split between the Accelerate program and the partnering company.

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