Employment

Join the Ontario Internship Program

The Ontario Internship Program hires up to 100 interns each year and offers two one-year paid contracts in a wide range of ministries and agencies across the Ontario Public Service (OPS). This entry-level program is open to people who have graduated from an approved or legally authorized college or university with a degree, post-graduate certificate or a diploma between May 2012 and August 2014.This year last date was Jan 21, 14 but it opens every year in January.

1. What is the Ontario Internship Program (OIP)?

The Ontario Internship Program hires up to 100 interns each year and offers two one-year paid contracts in a wide range of ministries and agencies across the Ontario Public Service (OPS). This entry-level program is open to people who have graduated from an approved or legally authorized college or university with a degree, post-graduate certificate or a diploma between May 2012 and August 2014.

2. What job opportunities are available through the OIP?

A variety of entry-level internship assignments are available in the following focus areas:

  • Business and Financial Planning
  • Communications
  • Human Resources
  • Information and Information Technology
  • Labour Relations
  • Policy Development
  • Program and Service Delivery

Please note, candidates may only apply to one focus area. Be sure to select the focus area that best matches your interests and skill set.

3. What qualifications do recent graduates need to have?

Successful applicants will be those who can best demonstrate a range of competencies that support knowledge, skills and abilities in a particular focus area in addition to meeting the program eligibility requirements. Competencies are described as specific and observable knowledge, skills and behaviours that are associated with effective functioning in a job. Examples of technical and non-technical competencies include such skills as:

  • Communication (oral and written)
  • Research and analytical
  • Customer service
  • Teamwork and project management
  • Business and financial
  • Information technology

4. Where are the internships located?

The distribution of internship placements varies across the province and across ministries. While many placements are expected to be in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), placements are also available in the Central, Eastern, Northern and Western regions. Ontario Internship Program work locations outside of the GTA include the following cities: Oshawa and Pickering (Central region); Kingston, Ottawa, Peterborough (Eastern region); North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Thunder Bay (Northern region); Guelph, Hamilton, London, St. Catharines (Western region). Candidates can indicate preferred work locations on their application forms; however, the OIP cannot guarantee that placements will be available in all parts of the province.

Program and Service Delivery focus area placements are not offered within the GTA and applicants to this focus area are strongly encouraged to visit the focus area page for more information on location preference.

5. How many interns will be hired?

The OIP hires up to 100 interns each year. In 2013, 76 interns were hired; in 2012, 94 interns were hired; in 2011, 90 interns were hired.

6. How many people apply each year?

In 2013, 4,078 applications were received.

Eligibility

7. Who is eligible?

You can apply if you have graduated or are about to graduate from an approved or legally authorized college or university with a degree, post-graduate certificate or a diploma between May 2012 to August 2014. Proof of your academic credentials will be required before the internship begins.

You must be legally entitled to work in Canada to participate in the program. At the time of an employment offer, candidates will be asked to provide information confirming their entitlement to work in Canada (e.g., proof of Canadian citizenship, proof of permanent residency in Canada or work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)). You cannot be hired until you have provided your proof of entitlement to work in Canada.

Before an internship is started, all educational requirements related to the degree, diploma or post-graduate certificate that establishes program eligibility must be completed.

Current and former OIP interns cannot reapply to the program.

If you fail to meet program eligibility requirements, you will be disqualified and/or a conditional job offer will be rescinded.

8. Do all certificates meet the eligibility criteria?

No. Only post-graduate certificates meet the eligibility requirements. A post-graduate certificate normally requires a degree or diploma to enter the program. For example, a continuing education certificate and a university certificate do not meet the eligibility criteria for the OIP as they are not post-graduate certificates. Individuals should confirm the full title of their credential before applying to the Ontario Internship Program. Please check the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) online directory, which contains a list of recognized and authorized postsecondary institutions to see if your certificate meets the eligibility requirements. Proof of academic credentials will be required before the internship begins.

9. Do applied degrees meet the eligibility criteria?

Yes. Graduates with an applied degree from an approved or legally authorized college or university can apply.

10. How do I determine if my academic credentials are from an approved or legally authorized college or university?

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) provides a database of Recognized Postsecondary Institutions in Canada. Visithttp://www.cicic.ca/en/post-sec.aspx?sortcode=2.16.22&s=1 or phone 416-962-9725.

If you obtained your academic credentials outside Canada, CICIC will provide you with information on credential assessment services. Visithttp://www.cicic.ca/415/credential-assessment-services.canada.

Make sure you have your credential evaluation complete so that you can compete in the recruitment process.

11. What proof of education credentials is acceptable?

Proof of education credentials must fall within the eligibility timelines of May 2012 to August 2014 and can be one of the following only:

  1. An original transcript that clearly indicates that you have graduated or are clear to graduate within the eligibility timelines, or
  2. An original registrar letter from your educational institution that clearly indicates that you have graduated or are clear to graduate within the eligibility timelines

Please do not bring your original degree/diploma/post-graduate certificate to the interview, as it is not one of the requested proofs of education documents as listed above. Candidates are required to provide proof of their educational credentials before the internship begins Please ensure you provide yourself sufficient time to acquire these documents.

12. Do I have to be a Canadian citizen to apply?

No; however, you must be legally entitled to work in Canada at the time you apply. (e.g., proof of Canadian citizenship, proof of permanent residency in Canada or work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)).

13. I am an international student attending a Canadian university/college who will graduate with a degree/diploma. Can I apply for an internship?

You are eligible to apply to the program provided you meet the eligibility requirements. At the time an employment offer is made, you will be requested to provide proof confirming your entitlement to work in Canada (i.e. proof of Canadian citizenship, proof of permanent residency in Canada or work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)).

The employment offer is conditional on your ability to provide proof that you meet the eligibility requirements of the program, and that you are entitled to work in Canada. Failure to meet these conditions will result in disqualification or rescinding of the conditional employment offer.

14. What is the process for being placed in a bilingual position?

The majority of placements in the Ontario Internship Program are English-language positions and all applicants will complete the full recruitment process in English. Only those applicants who have successfully completed the full recruitment process and have indicated in the on-line application that they are interested in a bilingual position will proceed to additional testing. These applicants will be invited to an assessment of their French language skills (i.e. writing and speaking). The individuals that pass the French language skills assessment will be considered for a bilingual placement subject to available focus area assignments. Individuals who do not pass the French language skills assessment will be placed in an English-language placement.

15. Is there an age limit?

There is no age limit to apply to the program.

16. Can an internship in the OIP program be used towards completion of a Co-operative Placement?

No, The OIP program offers full-time paid employment. Internships cannot be used towards completion of another program’s requirements. Internships are available to people who have graduated or who will graduate within the eligibility timelines. Co-op placements in the Ontario Government are posted at various educational institutions across Ontario. Check for Co-op job postings with your school’s career centre and respective Co-op office.

Applications

17. When will you begin accepting applications?

You can apply online from January 2, 2014 to January 21, 2014. Please review the Application Guidelines before you start an application.

18. What is the application deadline?

Applications will be accepted up to January 21, 2014, before 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time. Please note that only one application per candidate will be accepted for the 2013 program year. Make sure you review your application carefully before submitting.

We strongly encourage you to apply early and not to wait until the hours leading up to the deadline as you may experience high internet traffic at this time. To avoid disappointment please give yourself plenty of time to submit your application.

19. May I submit a paper application?

Applications must be submitted through our online system. If you have a disability and require accommodation to complete the OIP application form, please contact us at contact.oip@ontario.ca.

20. Is program information available in alternative formats?

Applicants requiring information in an alternative format should call Employment Ontario at 1-800-387-5656.

21. I have a disability. How will I be accommodated?

The Ontario Public Service is an equal opportunity employer. The OIP will accommodate persons with disabilities in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities ActOPS Equal Opportunity Operating Policy,Employment Accommodation for People with Disabilities Operating Policy,Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and in accordance with the Human Rights Code. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities will be provided at each stage of the recruitment process. If you have a disability and require accommodation to complete the OIP application form, please contact us at contact.oip@ontario.ca. In addition, if you are invited to participate in the testing and/or interview stages of the competition, you will be asked whether you require special accommodation. Please notify us of your requirements at the time of your invitation to participate in the testing and/or interview stage, so we can make arrangements in advance.

22. I don’t see my school listed in the drop down list. What do I do?

The schools listed only represent the publicly funded post-secondary institutions in Ontario. If you have graduated or are about to graduate from an approved or legally authorized college or university not on the list, simply select “other” from the list. You will be prompted to type in the name of your school.

23. Can I make changes to the content of my application once I have submitted it?

No. Once you have submitted your application, you cannot make changes to its content. However, changes to your contact information will be accepted.

24. How can I update my contact information if it changes after I submit my application?

It is your responsibility to keep your contact information up-to-date throughout the recruitment process. Visit Apply OnLine in order to update your contact information. You will be required to enter the username and password that you created when you registered. This information was displayed to you on screen and an acknowledgement email was sent to you with your username and password.

25. What if I have forgotten my username and password?

If you have forgotten or misplaced your username and password, you may obtain it by visiting Apply OnLine.

26. How will I know if my application has been received?

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation notice on your screen. Please print this notice for your records. In addition, you will also receive an email confirming the receipt of your application with your username and password. Given the high volume of applications the OIP receives, please refrain from calling if you have received these messages of confirmation.

Written Test, Interviews, Job Offers

27. When will written tests and interviews take place?

Written communication tests will take place February 12 to February 21, 2014, at various locations across the province. Interviews will take place March 10 to March 21, 2014, at various locations across the province. For further information on our timelines, visit the Recruitment Process and Timelines section of this site.

28. I am not sure if I have received email notifications from the program.

Please ensure you check your Junk and/or Spam Mail Folders throughout the recruitment process to make sure that OIP emails have not mistakenly been stored there. Failure to check may result in you being excluded from advanced stages of the competition if we cannot reach you. It is your responsibility to keep your contact information (address, phone number, e-mail) up-to-date throughout the recruitment process.

29. Will I be notified if I am not selected to participate in the written test and/or interview?

No. Only those candidates selected to participate in the written test and/or interview will be contacted.

30. If I don’t receive a job offer, can I reapply to the program?

If you are unsuccessful in 2014, you may reapply to the program for the following year provided you continue to meet the program eligibility criteria. Candidates may only submit one application per program year.

31. If I don’t receive a job offer, can I get feedback on my application?

Unsuccessful applicants may request feedback on the evaluation of their application, written test or interview. Further instructions will be provided at a later time in the recruitment process.

32. At what point will I be contacted if I am to receive a job offer?

Job offers will be made to successful candidates beginning in April 2013. A job offer will be made to successful candidates. Please note: offers are conditional subject to meeting eligibility requirements.

Placements

33. When do the internships begin?

Internships will begin on June 23, 2014.

34. If I am offered an internship, will I be placed in my first location preference?

The OIP application asks you to identify two work location preferences. Most placements will be in the first location preference identified. If your first preference is not possible, we will do our best to accommodate your second location preference. If a suitable placement in either of your preferred locations is not available, you may be offered a placement in another location.

35. Will I be reimbursed for relocation costs if I relocate to a work location other than where I am living?

No. The OIP does not provide reimbursement of relocation costs.

36. If I accept an internship, may I choose my own job placement and/or ministry?

Interns do not choose their own job placement or ministry. The OIP assigns interns to ministry placements based on a number of factors, including organizational business needs, available focus area assignments and ministry business priorities, as well as interns’ skills, experience and geographic preference.

37. How will the two-year internship be structured?

Once a job offer is accepted, interns are matched to a ministry placement and provided with a one-year contract. All interns rotate to a new assignment after 12 months. Second-year contracts will be offered on the condition that the intern’s work performance has been assessed at a satisfactory level.

Learning and Development

38. What kind of learning and development opportunities do interns receive in the program?

Interns receive:

  • A comprehensive orientation to the Ontario Public Service
  • A specific learning curriculum for each focus area
  • A placement mentor who will provide professional advice and guidance
  • Advice on how to make the most of their internship experience

39. What happens to interns after their two-year assignments are complete?

While there are no guarantees of ongoing employment beyond the two-year term of the program, interns are encouraged, and well-trained, to compete for ongoing employment opportunities. On average, 75 per cent of interns secure ongoing employment within the OPS after leaving the program.

Further Information

For more information, you may call Employment Ontario toll-free at: 1-800-387-5656 or by TTY (for the hearing impaired) at 1-800-263-2892.

Source: https://www.internship.gov.on.ca/mbs/sdb/intern.nsf/LkpWebContent/ePublishedFAQs

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