Internships provide new opportunities for highly-skilled graduates
OTTAWA – Canada’s universities welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement today on support for paid internships for postsecondary graduates. This funding, which was first announced in Economic Action Plan 2014, will help up to 3,000 university and college graduates access full-time paid internships in high-demand fields such as science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the skilled trades.
“AUCC applauds the government’s focus on providing opportunities for Canada’s youth to ensure the next generation has the skills and experience they need for Canada’s labour force,” says Paul Davidson, president of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. “These internships can give a boost to the careers of highly-skilled students graduating from our universities and benefit employers as well.”
The internships, provided through the National Research Council’s Industrial Research Assistance Program and Employment and Social Development Canada’s Career Focus Program, will last between six and 12 months and are slated to take place over the next two years.
Currently half of bachelor’s students in Canada’s universities complete at least one co-op or internship by the time they graduate. AUCC is working with employers to find ways expand these experiential learning programs that complement post-graduate internships like those announced today.
“We are pleased to see the federal government’s focus on increased opportunities for young Canadians and Canada’s universities are central to the expansion of those opportunities,” says Mr. Davidson.
AUCC is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, representing the interests of 97 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities and university degree-level colleges.
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About Universities Canada
Universities Canada is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, advancing higher education, research and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians.
Media contact:
Lisa Wallace
Assistant Director, Communications
Universities Canada
communications@archives.univcan.ca
Tagged: Skills and talent
