January 25th, 2016

Bringing an intern into your organization just might prove the perfect solution to your company for a number of reasons. One of the most important ones is that an intern can inject a new idea, thought process, or approach into your company that was previously missing. Sticking to the status quo is no way to get ahead; bringing in some external help can give you the fresh perspective you need to finish that tough project or complete a seemingly impossible task.

Interns are a low-risk, high-reward investment. Worst-case scenario, they don’t pan out as you planned and you part ways after they start their contract. Or, your intern ends up becoming a highly skilful and valued part of your team, and you might make them a full-time employee down the road.

Fortunately for you, the Ontario provincial government agrees that interns are valuable assets to your organizations and want to help promising candidates and industry leaders to collaborate together. The Northern Ontario Internship Program provides recent graduates and organizations located in Northern Ontario with an opportunity to grow their careers and businesses together.

Eligible organizations

If you are interested in providing recent graduates with an opportunity to break into your industry, consider bringing an intern onto your team. This internship is designed for private sector, public sector, or not-for-profit organizations located in Northern Ontario. The follow areas receive preference:

• Advanced manufacturing
• Agriculture, aquaculture, or food processing
• Arts, culture, and other creative industries
• Digital economy
• Forestry and value-added industries relating to forestry
• Health sciences
• Minerals sector, mining supply, and related services
• Renewable energy and services
• Tourism
• Transportation, aerospace, or aviation
• Water technologies and services

 All organizations must have been in operation for a minimum of one year, and have at least one full-time employee.

This opportunity also considers other business initiatives on a per-case basis that demonstrate a direct economic benefit to this part of the province. Municipalities, post-secondary education institutions, research institutions, and First Nations initiatives can also apply.

Internship guidelines

There must be enough work to last for a 52-week internship period. This internship opportunity gives preference to placements that are likely to result in full time employment for the intern. Employers should provide high levels and varieties of training for interns to take part in so they can develop their skills. All interns require direct supervision by an onsite supervisor. 

This collaborative internship opportunity is supported through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation. After receiving approval from the heritage fund, organizations must select an appropriate intern to fill this position. This must be done fairly and equally, and cannot include immediate family members or relatives.

Reimbursement amounts

Successful not-for-profit organizations that secure an intern for work in Northern Ontario can receive up to 90% of that graduate’s salary during their time working with the organization in question, up to a maximum of $31,500. 

Successful private sector organizations can receive a conditional contribution of up to half of a recent graduate’s salary up to a maximum of $31,500.

Don’t think of this opportunity as “free labour.” Your intern will not (and cannot, according to the guidelines) replace an existing employee at your organization: instead, they will become an important and potentially permanent part of your team during their time

 Even if you meet all of their program criteria, you might be unsuccessful. All it takes is a persuasive and expertly assembled application to tip the odds in your favour during the decision process. Get in touch with our team of expert application writers today, and we can help you with all the information you need to get your application started.