Aboriginal youth internship program

• What is the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program?
• Overview of the program
• Major goals
• Applying for the internship program
• Deadlines and important dates for next Program Year Five (2011/12)
• Deadlines and important dates for current Program Year Six (2012/13)
• Available ministry placements
• Expressions of interest from Aboriginal organizations to host an Aboriginal youth intern
• Contact information
• Frequently asked questions

What is the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program?

The Aboriginal Youth Internship Program is a 12-month paid internship for Aboriginal youth residing in B.C., age 29 and under. Interns are placed in provincial government ministries for nine months and then in Aboriginal organizations for the last three months of their internship. Interns are supported by the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program staff (program lead, program coordinator, and program administrator), and supervisors and mentors in government ministries and Aboriginal organizations.

The program:

• Mirrors the school year and runs annually from September to the following August
• Provides professional experience
• Provides leadership development
• Provides cultural support
• Provides a professional, cultural, and social network through the intern cohort

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Overview of the program

The BC Public Service Agency in partnership with the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Aboriginal Leadership, and Aboriginal Youth Organizations developed the program as part of government's commitment to the New Relationship with Aboriginal People. This program is designed to support Aboriginal youth in developing their leadership skills and encourage them to consider the BC Public Service or Aboriginal organizations as a place to pursue a rewarding career.

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Major goals

The Aboriginal Youth Internship Program major goals are to:

• Encourage Aboriginal youth to consider the BC Public Service or Aboriginal organizations as a place to pursue a rewarding career
• Support Aboriginal youth to develop their leadership skills
• Provide opportunities for Aboriginal youth to contribute and improve relationship building between Aboriginal communities/organizations and the provincial government
• Contribute to closing the social and economic gaps that exist between Aboriginal people and other British Columbians

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Applying for the internship program

Applications are accepted from eligible candidates during March, April, and May each year for a program start in September.

To be eligible to apply to the program, applicants must be:

• Aboriginal (First Nations (status or non-status), Mètis, Inuit)
• Residing in BC
• Age 29 or under as of September 5, 2011
• Have a minimum Grade 12 education combined with work and volunteer experience 

Applications must be submitted through the Employment Opportunities website. Applications that are submitted beyond these dates will not be kept on file and must be resubmitted for the year in which that person is applying for.

Applicants are required to provide the following:

• Current resume
• Cover letter describing why they are a good candidate for the program, and how they fit the Aboriginal Youth Intern job profile
• Two completed reference forms from leaders/mentors within the Aboriginal community (i.e. Hereditary and elected Chiefs, elders, teachers, coaches, employers or youth organizations)
• Their top three job placement preferences based on the list of available ministries

The Aboriginal Youth Internship job posting will be available at the BC Government Job Opportunities website from March 15 until May 15.

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Deadlines and important dates for current Program Year Five (2011/12)

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Deadlines and important dates for next Program Year Six (2012/13)

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Available ministry placements

Ministry placements will vary from year to year and include a diversity of work assignments in Victoria, Vancouver, and regional locations. Placements can range from:

• Youth and community engagement
• Practical field experience
• Policy development
• Project management
• Program development
• Healthy lifestyle advocacy
• Adjudication
• Community-based research
• Negotiations
• And many other specific placements in various ministries

Ministry supervisors interested in hosting an Aboriginal Youth Intern should contact the program for the Ministry proposal template and more information on how to apply.

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Expressions of interest from Aboriginal organizations to host an Aboriginal youth intern

The Aboriginal Youth Internship Program will annually seek Expressions of Interest from BC Aboriginal Organizations that can provide supportive, educational, and meaningful work placements for Aboriginal Youth Interns during the summer months. The interns will be seconded to selected organizations from June to August. The salary of the interns will be covered by the provincial government during the work placement in selected Aboriginal organizations.

Aboriginal Youth Interns will be matched with selected Aboriginal Organizations based on their interests, qualifications, education, experience, skills and location. The call for expressions of interest will go out in December to the end of February each year. Interested Aboriginal organizations must fill out the EOI template provided and submit the completed form by the end of February. Expressions of Interest submitted outside of the dates requested will not be kept on file and must be resubmitted when the call for these Expressions is made.

Aboriginal Youth Interns have a wide variety of skills and abilities that will benefit Aboriginal Organizations, including:

• Youth engagement practices
• Project management
• Research
• Environmental scans and database development
• Policy analysis and development
• Conference and event coordination
• Strategic planning
• Communications
• Website and manual development
• Community liaison
• Other specific skill sets based on education and experience

In addition, Aboriginal Youth Interns bring valuable knowledge of provincial government programs and processes based on their nine month placements in ministries across government.

Expression of Interest Template for Aboriginal Organizations

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Contact information

For more information on the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program please review the frequently asked questions, or contact the program assistant.

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