Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage (graduates)

Young Canada Works (YCW) at Building Careers in Heritage (YCWBCH) is an internship program for unemployed or underemployed college or university graduates. It helps graduates make the transition from college or university to the workplace, allowing them to hone their professional skills and begin a career in the heritage, arts and cultural sectors.

There are several types of internships, including:

  • Internships in Canada in:
    • heritage fields related to the work of museums, archives, libraries or heritage sites (built heritage);
    • conservation science; and
    • arts and cultural fields.

Internships in Canada generally last between 4 to 12 consecutive months. Interns may work full-time or part-time.

  • International museology internships.

Internships abroad last a minimum of 6 consecutive months. Interns work full-time (30 to 40 hours per week).

Canadian Heritage and the Government of Canada are committed to strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion in youth employment. Youth belonging to equity-deserving groups are highly encouraged to apply.

Who can apply

An individual may be eligible for an internship if they:

  • are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent resident status are not eligible);
  • are legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);
  • are between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and
  • are a college or university graduate (certificate, bachelor's, master's or doctorate).

Note: Priority will be given to graduates that have not previously participated in YCW internship programs and that are unemployed or underemployed.

Application deadline

There is no deadline for individuals to apply. However, we recommend that you create an account and submit your candidacy before the summer.

How to apply

To apply, individuals are required to:

  • visit the Young Canada Works login page;
  • create an account by clicking on the "Sign up" link, then complete and submit a candidate profile;
  • browse job opportunities via the "Search for a job" link in their account; and
  • express their interest in a position by clicking on the job title and then on “Express interest in this job."

Individuals selected for a position will be required to complete the following online documents over the duration of the internship:

  • Candidate Eligibility Form (initiated by the employer) – To confirm intern eligibility to participate in the program. This form must be completed before an intern is hired by their employer.
  • Staffing Report (initiated by the employer) – To ensure that the details of the internship are accurate. This information must be confirmed during the first week of the internship.
  • Evaluation Questionnaire – To provide feedback regarding the program. This questionnaire must be completed at the end of the internship.

Any questions about these obligations should be directed to the employer. There are instructions for all documents to be completed within the intern’s Young Canada Works (YCW) account.

Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage does not hire interns directly, it is the employer's responsibility to hire individuals for their funded position(s). Employers approved for funding can search through the candidate list and contact individuals to hold an interview.

Participant travel assistance

Internships in Canada

The Program may reimburse transportation and en route accommodation costs incurred by participants who must relocate more than 125 km from their permanent residence to work at a YCW job site.

International Museology Internships

The Program will cover the cost of transportation and partial accommodation costs of a participant working abroad as stipulated in the contract between the employer and the participant.

Please contact your Delivery Organization for more details.

Contact us

For questions related to internships, please contact the appropriate Delivery Organization.

For general questions about YCW, please contact:

Department of Canadian Heritage
Young Canada Works Secretariat
15 Eddy St
Gatineau QC  J8X 4B3
Email
coordonnateurjct-ycwcoordinator@pch.gc.ca
Telephone
1-800-935-5555 (toll-free)
TTY
1-800-926-9105 (toll-free)

Agents are available to answer your questions, Monday to Friday, 8 am to 8 pm (ET).

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