For immediate release
June 27, 2012
Toronto, Ontario — The Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), today announced a Government of Canada contribution of up to $4,185,000 to the University of Toronto Engineering Career Centre. This contribution will give valuable internships to recent graduates, while the businesses will benefit from the technical and scientific knowledge these graduates offer.
"Our government is committed to creating jobs, growth and long-prosperity," said Minister of State Goodyear. "Today's announcement will help young scientists and engineers get the professional experience, mentorship and business skills they need as they develop into the next generation of leaders in business and innovation in southern Ontario."
This investment is being provided through FedDev Ontario's Graduate Enterprise Internship, which provides funding for not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions to arrange internship and mentoring opportunities for recent graduates and graduate students of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs with small- and medium-sized enterprises.
The University of Toronto Engineering Career Centre arranges co-operative education placements and internships for University of Toronto engineering students, placing about 600 undergraduates per year at small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in southern Ontario. This investment from FedDev Ontario will allow the Centre to place up to 300 graduates and graduate students at SMEs in the region.
"The Graduate Enterprise Internship Program at the University of Toronto will allow recent graduates as well as graduate students from our science and engineering programs to build their work experience and develop their careers," said Professor Jill Matus, U of T's Vice-Provost, Students. "U of T is very appreciative for the support provided by the Government of Canada through FedDev Ontario. This new program will help our students gain new skills and contribute to our economy."
For more information on the Graduate Enterprise Internship and the University of Toronto Engineering Career Centre, please refer to the backgrounder.
Created in 2009, FedDev Ontario supports the southern Ontario economy by building on the region's strengths and creating opportunities for jobs and economic growth. The Agency has launched a number of initiatives to create a Southern Ontario Advantage and place the region in a strong position to compete in the global economy. These initiatives are designed to encourage partnerships and support projects that help the region's businesses and communities become more competitive, innovative and diversified. To learn more, please visit www.feddevontario.gc.ca or call 1-866-593-5505.
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For more information, contact:
Michele-Jamali Paquette
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Gary Goodyear
613-947-2956
Media Relations
FedDev Ontario
519-585-2917
The University of Toronto Engineering Career Centre offers programs and services designed to connect engineering students and graduates with job opportunities within the engineering industry. The Centre places an average of 600 undergraduate students per year in internships with small- and medium-sized businesses in Ontario.
FedDev Ontario is providing the Engineering Career Centre with a contribution of up to $4,185,000 to place up to 300 recent graduates and graduate students of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs in internships with small- and medium-sized businesses in southern Ontario.
The project will allow private sector business leaders to pass on their knowledge and business skills to young people pursuing STEM studies and careers in southern Ontario, and help develop the next generation of leaders in business and innovation. The businesses will benefit from the infusion of skills and training that these young people offer, spurring innovation and new ideas in their firms. This will help equip the region to meet future labour market needs.
More information on the University of Toronto Engineer Career Centre is available at www.engineeringcareers.utoronto.ca/home.htm.
The Graduate Enterprise Internship provides funding for eligible not-for-profit organizations and post-secondary institutions in southern Ontario to arrange internships with structured business mentoring opportunities in southern Ontario small- and medium-sized enterprises for graduate students and recent graduates of STEM programs. Only organizations with established track records and currently delivering internship placements for STEM students or graduates are eligible.
Eligible applicants may receive a non-repayable contribution towards an intern's salary of up to $15,000 per six-month internship for a graduate student or recent graduate of a master's or doctoral-level STEM program and up to $10,000 for a recent graduate of an undergraduate STEM program or a college program at the advanced diploma level, as well as delivery costs to manage the internships. The host SME must contribute a minimum of 50 per cent of the intern's salary and benefits.
For more information, please refer to the Initiative Guidelines available on the website at www.feddevontario.gc.ca.
