Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) – ImpAct Internships

Amount:

$10,000

Type of Program:

Wage Subsidy

Description:

Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) will contribute up to 100% of the salary or participation fees, to a maximum of $10,000, for youth to become Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) ambassadors. Create innovative work-integrated-learning initiatives that will have a positive community impact.

Comments on Funding:

Funding is up to 100% of the salary or participation fees, to a maximum of $10,000, for youth to become Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) ambassadors.

The funding can be used as a traditional wage subsidy, covering up to 100% of an intern’s salary up to a maximum of $10,000. The subsidy will be paid as a reimbursement upon receipt of financial documents such as paystubs showing CPP & EI contributions.

The funding can also be used for skills-based special initiatives covering up to a maximum of $750 per youth and $10,000 per initiative. For example, a municipality could organize a one-week composting contest and offer a prize of $750 each for up to 13 participating youth. Another example is a company that organizes an SDG hack-a-thon over a weekend and provides a participation premium of $500 each for up to 20 participating youth. The funding will be paid as a reimbursement upon receipt of invoices and proof of payments made.

When It Ends:

Closed for 2020

Deadline:

2021 deadlines to be announced

Eligibility:

Eligible employers must:

  • demonstrate that they are committed to meaningfully responding to Canadian SDG ambitions identified in our 2030 National Strategy by working on a minimum of three SDGs and that they would like to create an innovative, and responsive WIL opportunity for one or more youth;
  • have an established payroll system (for wage subsidies), be set up to receive payments by direct deposit,
  • have a process for supervising and mentoring participants or interns, and
  • be a Canadian organization or subsidiary in one of the following categories:
  • post-secondary education institution;
  • indigenous organization or association;
  • not-for-profit organization;
  • non-government organization (NGO);
  • small- or medium-sized enterprise (SME), less than 500 employees;
  • municipal or local government;
  • provincial or territorial government, institution, agency or Crown corporation;
  • large corporation, more than 500 employees.
  • not use the funding for:
  • currently filled positions;
  • to replace an employee who is on leave;
  • for a current employee moving to a new position.

Interns must be:

  • be between the ages of 15-30 (inclusive) at the start of the internship;
  • be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or persons granted refugee status in Canada;
  • be legally allowed to work according to the relevant provincial and Canadian legislation and regulations;
  • be available to participate for a flexible duration up to 6 months, for full-time, part-time or special initiatives;
  • not be employees of the hiring employer prior to the start of their internship (does not apply to previous coop students or student interns).

Special initiatives may be time-limited and include hack-a-thons, competitions, audits, etc. that may not fit a part-time or full-time schedule. For example, they could last a week, a weekend, etc. Examples of activities that youth can do to help advance the SDGs:

  • organize a youth-led food drive;
  • educate others on healthy food, diversity and inclusion, importance of vaccinations, protective hygiene practices for a specific demographic;
  • plan and implement an energy or water conservation or ‘buy local’ campaign;
  • develop a campaign for alternatives to single occupancy vehicles;
  • audit local cycling and pedestrian infrastructure;
  • organize healthy outdoor activities that reduce air pollution while increasing physical activity;
  • create and implement activities to reduce land and water pollution;
  • advocate for and plant trees in urban areas;
  • develop a business plan that offers sustainable products and services;
  • conduct research on ethical supply chains;
  • develop and implement branding strategies, digital marketing tools, and/or social media campaigns on sustainable agriculture.

Applications Steps:

1

The applicant must register as an employer and create an online account on Career-Launcher website.

Other Things to Note:

Inspired by CICan 5-year Strategic Plan 2019-2024, the ImpAct initiative, aims to support colleges and institutes in achieving their shared vision of Better Futures for Peoples and Communities. Backed by the McConnell Foundation and placed under the patronage of the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, it builds on the common values and aspirations of CICan members and is designed to amplify the college and institute system’s contributions to economic and social development, community well-being and a sustainable future by supporting deliberate and collaborative approaches.

All subsidies for the ImpAct Internships program have been fully allocated. New applications will be accepted on a waitlist and we will contact these applicants should any new funding become available. We want to thank everyone for applying and for making the program a success! We hope to renew the program in the summer of 2021. Stay tuned in 2021!

Program Contact:

ImpAct Internships

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