Frequently Asked Questions
Interns
Why is the federal government assisting youth?
The federal government is assisting youth in order to fulfill Canada’s commitment under the Youth Employment Strategy (YES) to help young people, particularly those facing barriers to employment, get the information and gain the skills, work experience and abilities they need to make a successful transition to the workplace.
Am I guaranteed a job offer after the internship?
There is no guarantee of a job offer after you have completed your internship. However, with the experience and skills gained during your internship, your chances of finding permanent employment are greater. During your tenure, you are encouraged to expand your network and discuss with your employer how to seek out opportunities for your future.
When should I apply?
You do not apply yourself. You must find an employer first, who will then apply for the internship for both of you.
I have worked within programs of the Youth Employment Strategy in the past, can I apply again?
No. The purpose of the YES internship is to provide work experience and skills to help facilitate the transition to the labour market. In order to give everyone equal opportunity, interns can only participate once in the program.
Can I apply for an internship for a summer job?
Career Focus Program is not a summer employment program. Only those who have graduated with a college diploma and university degree are eligible to participate in this program.
Something has happened and I can not complete my internship. What do I do?
As with any other job, when you agree to work in an internship with an employer, you are expected to make the commitment for the length of time specified. If, for any reason, you cannot hold this commitment, please notify your employer and the NRCan Program Coordinator as soon as possible so that he/ she can make arrangements to have you replaced.
Partners
Why is the federal government assisting organizations?
The government provides funding assistance to organizations in an effort to encourage them to hire youths who generally have the knowledge but not much experience in the workforce. These interns would be an asset to the organization once they have been trained and gained experience within their field. With the help of funding, organizations can take more chances on a newly graduated employee.
When should I apply?
We will accept applications on a first come first served basis provided funding is available. To avoid disappointment submit applications as early in the year as possible. Apply Now!
Can my organization apply with a project and specific position before we have found an intern?
It is possible to have specific projects and positions pre-approved before your organization can find an eligible intern to fill that role. Please note, however, that we can not guarantee that funds will still be available by the time you find your intern.
What happens after I apply?
You will be contacted by the NRCan Program Coordinator to confirm whether or not your application has been successful. If your application has been accepted, a signed contribution agreement will be forwarded to you for your records. A cheque made out to your organization will then follow.
Can my intern start work before the contribution agreement has been completed and approved?
The intern cannot be working on his/her internship before the contribution agreement has been completely signed by all parties (both NRCan and the partner).
What happens if an agreement ends before the completion date?
If the intern leaves the program, you may find an eligible replacement for the intern for that same project. However, you must notify the NRCan Program Coordinator once you become aware of the situation. The organization should try to replace the intern as quickly as possible so that we can continue to commit the money to be used as per the agreement. The maximum amount of funding that can be received per project is $13,200 for a period of 12 months, regardless of whether or not the intern has changed.