Opportunities for Student Employment and Training

Opportunities for Student Employment and Training [PDF, 92.5 kb, viewer]

What is TGI-4?

TGI-4 is a collaborative federal geoscience program whose mandate is to generate new geoscience knowledge in support of deep exploration.  This includes the development of new geoscience-based techniques to better vector towards mineral deposit buried by both bedrock and surficial cover.

To accomplish this objective, the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC), as part of the Earth Sciences Sector (ESS) of Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has implemented an extensive program focused on regions in and around established and emerging mineral camps.

This is the third renewal of a highly successful minerals program that began in 1999.

The federal government has invested $25 million over five years in the TGI-4 program. The objective is to leverage this initial investment through partnerships with provinces, academia and the mineral industry to gain maximum impact of the program objectives.

Program focus and content will be developed through discussions with provincial and territorial jurisdictions and with the Canadian Mining Innovation Council (CMIC).

TGI 4 Framework Objectives

  • Focus on data-rich established and emerging mining camps to optimize exploration-related geoscience knowledge development;
  • Develop new and improved geoscience knowledge and techniques to better understand, model and detect Canada’s major mineral systems;
  • Focus on developing more robust vectors that can more effectively identify fertile mineral systems, thereby reducing investment risk and cost through smarter targeting; and
  • Train and mentor students in order to increase the number of highly qualified personnel available to the mineral industry.

What does TGI-4 mean for undergraduate and graduate students in the Earth Sciences?

Over a 5 year period TGI-3, the precursor to the present program, hired over 150 undergraduates, graduates and post-doctoral fellows. This is part of a long history at the GSC of training and mentoring undergraduate and graduate students in the Earth Sciences through seasonal (summers and COOP) or part-time employment. Whereas students are exposed to a spectrum of field to laboratory-related experiences across a broad breadth of geoscience topics, the GSC has the satisfaction of helping develop the next generation of highly skilled geoscientists for employment in the minerals industry, research institutes and/or university faculties. The advantages to students have been many, including:

  • A stimulating work environment in the field, office and laboratories,
  • Competitive salary or a stipend contribution,
  • Survey experience that is highly valued by future employers,
  • Logistical support and facility access for undergraduate and graduate theses, and
  • An opportunity to see diverse regions of Canada.

Graduate students will have opportunities to work on MSc and PhD theses that contribute to achieving the goal of the TGI-4 program of increasing exploration effectiveness in the search for buried mineral deposits. Whereas previous experience is always taken into consideration, TGI-4 will also hire and train junior undergraduate students.

How do I obtain information about these employment opportunities?

The GSC will be present at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada annual conference as part of the Canada Pavilion on the Exhibit floor, BC Roundup, and at Open House meetings held by the provincial surveys. If you are interested in working in this, or other GSC programs, come and see us at our poster displays, or contact the Program Manager listed below.

Applying for Student Employment: FSWEP and RAP

The principal objective of the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) is to provide fulltime students with work experience related to their Field of Study and to provide them with learning opportunities. The program is also designed to give full-time secondary school, CEGEP, college, and technical institute as well as university students’ employment opportunities.

The core of the program is a computerized national inventory of students seeking a job with the federal public service. This inventory is managed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Canada, the agency that administers various federal government staffing programs. Students who would like to find employment within the federal government must first complete the FSWEP application form, which is available on-line only.

Visit:http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/fswep-pfete/index-eng.htm

The Research Affiliate Program (RAP) is the primary tool by which the GSC recruits graduate students to participate in its public geoscience programs. Whereas through the FSWEP program students receive an hourly wage accordingly to their level of education and hours worked, RAP students receive a stipend three times/year. This can be extended for multiple years to cover living expenses during a defined period of study and research. RAP is also administered by the PSC of Canada. Electronic information is available at:

http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/rap-par/index-eng.htm

Additional information about TGI-4:

Program Manager:

Mike Villeneuve – mike.villeneuve@NRCan.gc.ca

Geological Survey of Canada, NRCAN

601 Booth Street

Ottawa, ON K1A 0E8, Canada

Tel: 613 995-4018