Canada Newcomers Internship Program Gives Immigrants a Head Start

February 23, 2019 /
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What is Federal Internship for Newcomers Program?

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The Federal Internship for Newcomers (FIN) Program offers eligible newcomers a chance to gain valuable temporary work experience and training opportunities with Canadian federal, provincial and municipal organizations.

There are different opportunities every year. Employers offer internships in fields like:

  • administration
  • project support/management
  • policy and research
  • computer science

Through the Federal Internship for Newcomers Program, candidates are hired as temporary employees and are able to:

  • understand job application and hiring processes
  • learn about Canadian workplace culture
  • network with professionals
  • attend training sessions
  • be matched with a public service mentor

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See also  Work & travel in Canada with Youth International Experience Canada program

Eligibility for Federal Internship for Newcomers Program

To apply for the Federal Internship for Newcomers Program you must have a post-secondary degree, except for some administrative positions where it’s only an asset.

You may pre-qualify for a Canada immigration program.

You must register as soon as possible with a FIN Program partner immigrant-serving organization (ISO). You must get a full screening by April 5, 2019.


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When you apply you must:

  • have been a permanent resident or a Canadian citizen for 10 years or less counting from:
    • the day you became a permanent resident
    • to the day you apply
  • live or work in:
    • Ottawa/Gatineau (or within a 125 kilometre radius)
    • Halifax (or within a 100 kilometre radius)
    • St. John’s, NL (or within a 150 kilometre radius)
    • Toronto (or within a 125 kilometre radius)
    • Victoria (or within a 75 kilometre radius)

More locations may be added in future.

If you’re a graduate of the World University Service of Canada’s (WUSC) Student Refugee Program, you can apply from anywhere in Canada.

If you’ve lived in Canada longer than 10 years

If you’re a Canadian citizen who has lived in Canada for longer than 10 years, you can:

  • apply online for other federal public service jobs on GC Jobs
  • participate in other specialized recruitment programs, such as the Post-Secondary Recruitment Program

Language skills requirements

Federal Internship for Newcomers Program candidates must prove that they have the necessary language skills in English or French.

You may show diplomas, transcripts, or certificates from a recognized, post-secondary institution to prove your English or French language skills. Your institution may be in Canada or abroad, and your document must:

  • show that you successfully graduated or completed a program in English or in French
  • be in English or French, otherwise you should:
    • include a translation of the original document
    • submit a letter from the institution that proves the instruction language was English or French

If you’ve only taken some courses in English or French, we can’t accept them as proof of language.

If you decide to take a language course and show proof of skills through tests, you must have one of the following:

Only scores obtained on or after May 2, 2017, in these tests will be considered

Past participants

If you were placed as an intern in one program year, you can reapply if you:

  • still meet the core eligibility criteria
  • have active and up-to-date files with an ISO
  • inform your ISO of your intent to apply before the registration deadline

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You can’t reapply if you’ve completed internships in two different program years.

Register with a Federal Internship for Newcomers Program partner

Before you apply, you must register with a Program partner immigrant-serving organization (ISO) in-person before April 5, 2019. They will:

  • assess your:
    • core eligibility
    • language
    • job readiness
  • refer you to information sessions
  • tell you to get your credentials assessed (if needed)
  • give you more information on how to apply

Register with your ISO as far ahead of the deadline as possible to make sure there is time for a full assessment.

Even if you applied to the program before, you must make sure that:

  • you’re registered with an ISO
  • your files are active, complete, and up-to-date
  • your employment counselor is aware of your intent to apply

You must complete this step. We’ll contact the ISO to make sure that you’ve successfully gone through this process.

Immigrant-serving organization partners

Contact a partner ISO to register.

Ottawa/Gatineau

Halifax

St. John’s, NL

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA)

Victoria

National

Apply online when the positions are posted

IRCC will post Federal Internship for Newcomers Program jobs for the 2019-2020 program year from May 2 to May 5, 2019. Be sure to check at Federal Internship for Newcomers Program.

When you apply online, provide:

  • the name and contact information of your ISO
  • detailed answers to all questions to show your:
    • skills
    • education
    • experience
  • proof that you meet the essential criteria
    • we’ll assess your application against the Statement of Merit Criteria
  • an explanation of how you meet all the asset criteria
    • we may use asset qualifications to decide how many applicants will move to the next stage of the selection process

Apply only for positions for which you have the required education and experience.

What happens after you apply for
Federal Internship for Newcomers Program?

If your application is screened in, you’ll be invited to an interview.

If you’re successful in your interview, your résumé can be:

  • referred to an organization that needs interns
  • matched with jobs based on your skills and the organization’s needs

Internships are not guaranteed.

See also Find Canadian Jobs for Immigrants See also ★ Immigrant Career Tips


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You may pre-qualify for a Canada immigration program.