The Corporation’s participation in Unpaid Student & Work Placement Agency Programs in general is governed by CAO2919. Depending on the type of program, additional Delegation of Authority approvals may be required for participation. Unpaid placements are not included in the Collective Agreements between the Corporation and its union groups. Therefore, union concurrence is required for participation in these programs within the unionized work environment through Memorandum of Agreements (MOA). Further, individual Memorandums of Understanding/Agreement exist between the Corporation and various accredited Educational Institutions and approved training organizations to illustrate the terms of the Corporation’s participation in these programs.
For the purposes of the Corporation’s participation in 2019, Unpaid Student/Work Placement Agency Programs are largely broken down into three (3) groupings:
- a) Student Programs
- b) Training Organization Programs
- c) Job Shadowing Programs Student Programs
a) Student Programs
Student Programs are unpaid post-secondary school internship and secondary school co-operative education placements. These programs are a combined effort between post-secondary institutions, school boards and the community to provide participating students with learning experience outside of the classroom in the world of work. Participating students are placed in work situations to assist with day-to-day operations and special projects, which compliment specific in-school learning experiences. Students participate in these programs as a requirement of their field of study and receive course credits towards diplomas/degrees for their participation and successful completion of these placements.
b) Training Organization Programs
Unpaid Training Organization placements occur via approved agencies and are typically Community – based. These programs assist our local underemployed and unemployed populations in gaining work experience in their chosen field. Further, these unpaid placements provide valuable training and improve employability for disadvantaged persons who may be members of visible minority groups or persons with disabilities.
c) Job Shadowing Programs
For close to twenty (20) years, the Corporation has annually participated in the Learning Partnership “Take Our Kids to Work Day” event. This event gives our employees an opportunity to host eligible grade nine (9) students for a one (1) day Job Shadow experience. The intent of this program is to provide participating students an initial understanding and appreciation for the skills required to succeed in the world of work.