The High River Chamber of Commerce is encouraging local businesses to take advantage of the Province's Summer Temporary Employment or "STEP" Program.

Basically the program lets the Province pay $7.00 per hour towards local businesses hiring students over the summer.

Chamber President Steven Muth says it's a great way to get someone their first job.

"They're looking for that help, but they may not have a lot of experience or may need that training. And all business owners know that that training is expensive, so if the government can help out with that training, that's a win-win for everybody."

STEP is a 4 to 16 week wage subsidy program that provides funding to eligible Alberta employers to hire high school or post-secondary students into summer jobs from May to August. Summer positions created through STEP provide students with the opportunity to build meaningful work experience, increase their skills and workplace insight and help prepare them for the future.

A standardized wage subsidy of $7.00 per hour to a maximum of 37.5 hours/week will be provided to approved applicants.

If your a local business looking to sign up for the program go to:

AlbertaCanada.com/step

The deadline for applications is Friday, February 9.