Ottawa, August 26, 2019 – Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is proud to announce the renewal of two programs funded under Canada’s modernized Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. This will allow an additional 230 young Canadians to get a strong start in the green economy through CICan’s Career-Launcher Internship program.
The renewed Natural Resources and Clean Tech internship programs are more inclusive and will encourage employers to support youth facing barriers to employment. In keeping with the goals of the modernized Youth Employment and Skills Strategy they will be accessible to more youth than before, including post-secondary students and graduates. Both offer funding to cover an intern’s salary, with Natural Resources Internships providing up to $20,000 for salary and training.
Since 2015, CICan’s Career-Launcher Internships have provided over 960 young graduates with meaningful work experience to help them transition into the workforce. What’s more, 97% of participating employers recommend this program, and 84% of interns have obtained employment or continued their education following their internship.
The Natural Resources Internships are funded by Natural Resources Canada’s Science and Technology Internship Program, while the Clean Tech Internships are funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Science Horizons Youth Internship Program.
CICan’s Career-Launcher Internship program also includes Digital Tech Internships, funded by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, for organizations of 500 employees or less that hire post-secondary graduates for up to 12 months. Visit careerlauncher.ca for more information on all three internship programs.
Quotes:
“Colleges and institutes play a vital role in ensuring that all Canadians, including those most vulnerable, have access to the skills they need to build meaningful careers thanks to hands-on learning opportunities. Our Career-Launcher Internship program ensures young Canadians gain meaningful, paid experience to enter the workforce with confidence, and become more resilient in the face of disruption.”
Denise Amyot, President and CEO, Colleges and Institutes Canada
“The Government of Canada continues to support green initiatives that strengthen our economy and protect our environment as we build the low-carbon economy. We are equipping our youth, including under-represented groups like women and Indigenous peoples, with valuable, hands-on work experience in natural resource-based STEM jobs.”
The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Natural Resources
“The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program will provide an opportunity for hundreds of young Canadians across the country to gain valuable experience in the environmental, clean-tech and innovation sectors. It’s by supporting the next generation of environmental stewards, innovators and entrepreneurs that we can continue to protect the environment and grow the economy.”
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
About Colleges and Institutes Canada:
Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) is the voice of Canada’s publicly-supported colleges, institutes, cégeps and polytechnics, and an international leader in education for employment with ongoing programs in over 25 countries. CICan’s members add over $190B to Canada’s economy each year and contribute to inclusive economic growth by working with industry and community partners to offer more than 10,000 programs to learners in urban, rural, remote, and northern communities.
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For more information:
Julien Abord-Babin
Senior Strategic Communications Officer
Colleges and Institutes Canada
jabord-babin@collegesinstitutes.ca
Tel. : 613-746-2222 ext. 3131
Twitter : @CollegeCan