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Colleges and Institutes Canada

Canada’s most popular internship program sets young people up for success

Finding a job is no easy feat, especially in today’s labour market. Employers need young people with skills to adapt to new technologies and new ways of doing business, while also addressing global challenges like climate change and inequality. Career Launcher can help.  

In fact, since 2015 Career Launcher has helped over 2,100 young people gain skills to find meaningful employment and make a positive change in their community through hands-on learning experiences. 

How do we do it?  

Career Launcher provides wage subsidies and hiring incentives to small and medium-sized employers to help them hire young people. Employers get access to top talent and support to grow their businesses; and young people – including college and institute students and recent graduates – of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities get paid work and learning opportunities to kickstart their careers.

  • Career Launcher provides young people with work and learning opportunities. In 2022-2023, more than 250 young people participated in internships through Career Launcher! 

In sectors like natural resources, clean technologies, digital technologies, and ImpAct – what we call work opportunities that contribute to positive change through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) – our internship programs are funded by the Government of Canada and help make Canada, learners, and employers futureproof.  

To be futureproof means we are set up for future success, no matter how the world changes and evolves.  

Accessible work-integrated learning experiences like Career Launcher internships help employers recruit new talent and ensure students and graduates transition successfully into the workplace – especially those who are often underrepresented in postsecondary education and in the labour market, like women, Indigenous people, newcomers, persons with disabilities, racialized communities, and 2SLGBTQI+ people.

Did you know that in 2022-2023, 50% of all Career Launcher interns were women? SDG 5 Gender Equality challenges us to put strategies in place to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. 

At the intersection of SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 5 Gender Equality, SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth, and SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities, Career Launcher recognizes the value of giving all Canadians an opportunity to find meaningful employment. 

We’re proud of our success. Career Launcher builds connections between interns and employers that don’t stop when the placement ends.  

  • Of all the students and recent graduates that completed an internship through Career Launcher in 2022-2023, 83% are now either employed in their field or continuing their studies. And, of those currently employed, 70% are still working with the organization that hosted their internship.  

That’s why we say Career Launcher is Canada’s most popular internship program. Want to learn more about Career Launcher? Visit careerlauncher.ca to learn more about how you can strengthen your organization and create opportunities for young workers.

Alaa Ismail

Alaa Ismail

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