Federal Student Work Experience Program: Information for managers

Tap into our inventories to access a diverse talent pool and hire students throughout the year in a variety of fields. Renew your workforce and bring new energy, ideas, and perspectives to your workplace. Hire members of employment equity groups to ensure your workforce reflects the population we serve.

How it works

Complete a request form for students. Select the inventory and any employment equity group you’re interested in (if applicable). You’ll be matched with students who meet your criteria through random selection.

Hiring managers: Submit a request

Hire a student through this program

1. Consult your HR advisor.
2. Submit a request form to the Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC).
   • Use your computer instead of your phone, otherwise you will miss some information
   • Use your Government of Canada email address
   • Save the confirmation email with your reference number; you’ll need it to access your list of students
3. View the applications and assess students for the position(s).
   • Ask students if they require any assessment accommodation
   • Consult the managers’ toolkit for hiring persons with disabilities for resources on assessment accommodation (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
4. Confirm that the student meets the eligibility criteria.
5. Submit the results for all students referred to you, not just the ones you assessed.
   • Use the link and reference number in the confirmation email initially sent to you by the PSC
     • This simple step automatically provides students with an update of their application status and ensures an updated and accurate inventory
6. Determine your student’s rate of pay based on the Treasury Board of Canada student rates of pay.
7. Hire your student.
   • Consult Annex B of the Appointment Policy for the information you need to keep 
   • Ensure you have the Affirmation of Indigenous Identity Form (if applicable), the oath or solemn affirmation, and a signed letter of offer for hired students

Re-hire or bridge a student to your team

It’s easy to keep outstanding students on your team. Re-hire or bridge students originally hired through the Federal Student Work Experience Program, Post-Secondary Co-op/Internship Program or Research Affiliate Program.

How to re-hire

1. Contact your HR advisor for your organization’s requirements for re-hiring students.
2. Confirm that they continue to meet student eligibility criteria.

How to bridge

1. Consult the student bridging page.

Why hire from this inventory

Hiring a student to diversify and energize your team is easy

• Use our ongoing inventory to fill part-time or full-time roles any time of year
• Our inventory is updated daily with new applicants
• Prioritize equity group(s) in your request

Customize your request by:

• Education level
  • high school, CEGEP, college or university
• Areas of study
• 15 areas of study and over 250 specializations
• Work locations
• across Canada
• Self-declaration
• members of one or more of the employment equity groups (Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and women)
• Areas of interest
• students can choose up to 3 out of 15 types of work which may be linked to their field of studies

Hire Indigenous students

Hire Indigenous students to ensure better representation across the Government of Canada. Our tailored initiative is here to help you do it with ease and care.
The Indigenous Student Employment Opportunity (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) provides:

• training and support for hiring managers
• culturally tailored support and activities to help students thrive on the job
  • networking with Indigenous students
  • mentorship from Indigenous public servants

Sign your student up to the opportunity by filling out the registration form (accessible only on the Government of Canada network).

3 resources for hiring Indigenous candidates

1. Take the Making a Difference in Supporting the Careers of Indigenous Employees course offered by the Canada School of Public Service.
2. Use best practices for building relationships and recruiting Indigenous talent with the Indigenous recruitment toolbox (accessible only on the Government of Canada network).
3. Contact the Indigenous Centre of Expertise at cfp.cea-icoe.psc@cfp-psc.gc.ca with any questions.

Hire students with disabilities

Hire students with disabilities to help diversify the Government of Canada. Our tailored initiative is here to help you do it with ease and care.
The Employment Opportunity for Students with Disabilities (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) provides:

• training and tools for hiring managers
• fast-track access to Shared Services Canada’s Accessibility, Accommodation, and Adaptive Computer Technology program
• events, networking and mentors dedicated to students

Sign your student up for the opportunity by filling out the registration form (accessible only on the Government of Canada network).

3 resources for hiring students with disabilities

1. Take the Inclusive Hiring: Five Tips on Diversifying Your Workforce course and Accessibility Learning Series offered by the Canada School of Public Service.
2. Use the managers’ toolkit for hiring persons with disabilities (accessible only on the Government of Canada network).
3. Contact the Diversity and Inclusion Centre of Expertise at cfp.psh-prog-pwd.psc@cfp-psc.gc.ca with any questions.

Students who self-declare as being Indigenous and as a student with a disability are invited to fill out the registration form (accessible only on the Government of Canada network) for both the Indigenous Student Employment Opportunity and the Employment Opportunity for Students with Disabilities.

Top tips for student success

When students feel supported, they can bring new ideas, knowledge and skills to your team. Help develop future federal public servants by creating a great experience for students that will:

• enrich their academic program
• enable them to develop their skills and enhance their employability
• offer insights into potential future career options within the federal public service

Support your students by:

• planning for their onboarding
• providing them with meaningful work
• developing a structured learning plan that sets out learning goals during their assignment
• assessing their progress during their assignment and providing them with feedback

Contact us

For more information about the Federal Student Work Experience Program or for any unique student recruitment needs, contact us at cfp.pfete-fswep.psc@cfp-psc.gc.ca.

For more information about partnering with the PSC on outreach activities with academic institutions, contact our regional offices.

Related links

• Recruitment Options for Managers (accessible only on the Government of Canada network)
• Directive on Student Employment
• Directive on Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students
• Student Rates of Pay
• Federal Student Work Experience Program