JEDI — Indigenous Internship Program
Canada
Wage subsidy to hire Indigenous graduates
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMay 11, 2021
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get up to $45,000 to cover 100% of the wages when you hire a recent Indigenous post-secondary graduate for a maximum of 2 years.
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This program is focused on the region of New Brunswick for economic and workforce development opportunities. The eligible areas align with JEDI's efforts to support Indigenous communities in this province.
- Organizations in New Brunswick, Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$45,000
Engage an Indigenous graduate for a community outreach role
$45,000
Offer a job placement for an Indigenous IT support specialist
$45,000
Recruit an Indigenous graduate as a graphic design intern
$45,000
Incorporate an Indigenous finance assistant into our team
$45,000
Hire an Indigenous Marketing Intern to develop a digital strategy
$45,000
Provide an Indigenous post-secondary graduate a real estate internship
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Organizations eligible to host an intern for the Indigenous Internship Program must meet specific criteria.
- Provincial and Federal government departments and agencies.
- Crown Corporations.
- Community Business Development Corporations (CBDCs).
- Not-for-profit organizations.
- Indigenous communities and organizations.
- JEDI's industry partners.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Provincial and Federal government departments and agenciesCrown CorporationsCommunity Business Development Corporations (CBDCs)Not-for-profit organizationsIndigenous communities and organizationsJEDI's industry partners
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports organizations in providing valuable internship experiences for recent Indigenous post-secondary graduates. The eligible activities focus on planning, hosting, and managing interns to facilitate their transition into full-time employment.
- Development and submission of a letter expressing interest in hosting an intern.
- Creation of an orientation plan tailored for the intern's integration into the host organization.
- Formulation of a detailed work plan outlining the intended knowledge and skill outcomes for the intern.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Evaluation and selection criteria for the Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) include:
- Demonstrated interest in hosting an intern
- Clear orientation and work plan for the intern
- Potential knowledge and skill outcomes for the intern
- Relevance to the organization's objectives
- Preference for applicants with post-secondary degrees
- Graduation within the last 3 years
- Legally eligible to work in Canada
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the Indigenous Internship Program (IIP):
- Step 1: Prepare Host Organization Documents
- Write a letter describing your organization’s interest in hosting an intern.
- Draft an orientation plan for the intern.
- Develop a work plan, detailing anticipated knowledge and skill outcomes for the intern.
- Step 2: Identify and Include Potential Intern
- If you've identified a potential Indigenous post-secondary graduate, include their name and resume in your application.
- Prospective interns should also prepare an up-to-date resume and a cover letter explaining their interest in the program.
- If no specific employer is involved, potential interns should list possible employers they are interested in working with.
- Step 3: Application Submission
- Submit the application to JEDI’s Provincial Indigenous Employment Coordinator, Nisa Kennedy via email at: Nisa.Kennedy@jedinb.ca.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Funds for the program are limited, making timely application submission crucial as they are reviewed on a first come, first served basis.
- Not all employer applications will be approved, indicating a competitive selection process.
- JEDI oversees the IIP with input from the IIP Working Group, highlighting the collaborative nature of the program management.
- The IIP Working Group and JEDI meet at least twice annually to monitor the program and provide insights, showcasing ongoing oversight.
- Applicants should be proactive in identifying potential matches between graduates and host organizations to enhance their application.
Apply to this program
Empowering Indigenous Graduates Through Valuable Internships
The Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) provides recent Indigenous post-secondary graduates with meaningful job placements, enhancing their professional skills and fostering sustainable employment. Designed in partnership with host organizations, JEDI ensures these placements aim to bridge the gap between education and employment, equipping participants with hands-on experience and career progression opportunities.
Detailed Insights into the Indigenous Internship Program
The Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) is a strategic initiative by the Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI), designed to empower Indigenous graduates as they transition from academia to the professional workforce. This program not only aims to bridge the education-to-employment gap but also significantly contributes to the economic development of Indigenous communities across New Brunswick through practical skill development.
Through a collaborative effort with federal and provincial government departments, agencies, and other sectoral partners, the IIP places a strong emphasis on enhancing workforce diversity and fostering an inclusive work environment. Host organizations, including government bodies, Crown corporations, and various business and community organizations, play a pivotal role in this endeavor by offering tailored internships that match the graduates' field of study, ensuring they gain relevant and rigorous industry experience.
A core component of the program is the development of a robust on-the-job training regime that prepares participants for long-term employment. The internships, usually spanning several months, provide the graduates with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, thus deepening their understanding of their chosen career paths. This experiential learning also cultivates a range of soft skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving, further enhancing the participants’ employability.
For host organizations, the IIP offers access to fresh and diverse talent that can bring innovative ideas and perspectives to their operations. By engaging with Indigenous graduates, organizations not only fulfill important corporate social responsibility objectives but also contribute to closing the employment gap for Indigenous peoples. The initiative ensures that hosts align their internships with industry-specific goals, maximizing both organizational impact and participant growth.
JEDI oversees the smooth execution of the IIP by working closely with the host organizations to design customized internship programs that meet both the individual and organizational needs. By conducting regular evaluations and feedback sessions, JEDI helps refine the process and improve outcomes, providing ongoing support to ensure the success of the placements.
With funding from various levels of government and industry partners, this program underscores Canada’s commitment to fostering an equitable and inclusive economic landscape. This systematic support structure aids in minimizing unemployment and underemployment rates among recent Indigenous graduates, thus playing a critical role in economically empowering Indigenous communities.
Additionally, by engaging with this program, participating organizations gain a competitive edge through increased workforce diversity, which often leads to enhanced performance and innovation. The cross-cultural understanding fostered within these organizations leads to a more dynamic workplace environment, where diverse viewpoints are welcomed and innovation is prioritized.
The Indigenous Internship Program thus represents a significant opportunity for Indigenous graduates and Canadian employers. It serves as a pivotal link between education and industry, ensuring that graduates not only have access to meaningful employment opportunities but also possess the skills and confidence to pursue careers that contribute positively to their communities and the broader economy.
