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Post Secondary Internship Program

What This Program Offers

This program offers your Nova Scotia provincial department the opportunity to hire an intern, funded by the Public Service Commission for a two-year term.

This program also provides the interns with the experience and training we need in future employees. Departments that have hosted interns in the past have found them to be excellent workers - adding diversity, enthusiasm, knowledge, and new perspectives to their host departments. The intern benefits through gaining valuable on-the-job experience and training.

Eligibility

Each year, the government offers internships in fields that have been identified as difficult-to-fill and critical to our future. The work assignments may vary each year.

In the 2006-2008 two year program, interns were recruited for internships in engineering, finance and audit, information technology, policy, science & technology and human resources.

In order to be eligible for this program, applicants must have graduated within the past 18 months from a university, community college, or a recognized trade school.

To be considered for an internship opportunity, all applicants must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada (as defined by Citizenship & Immigration Canada). Some individuals (e.g. foreign students) may have authorization from the Government of Canada to work here on a time-limited basis. Applicants are only eligible for employment if the length and location of the appointment and the nature of the work meets the conditions specified in their authorization documents.

Applying to Host an Intern

The proposal process for 2006-2008 two year internships has already been completed. If your department, agency, board or commission is interested in hosting a student for a future term (2007-2009), please submit a Career Starts
proposal form WordPerfect Format (WPD) and view the proposal deadlines Portable Document Format (PDF).

Evaluation Process:
The PSC typically receives more proposals than our budget permits us to fund. The PSC ensures that a fair evaluation process is used to determine which proposals are granted funding. All proposals are reviewed by an evaluation committee. The proposals are scored by the committee on the following criteria:

  • Critical Criteria: Proposal must be properly completed and submitted by the given deadline

  • Competency Development: Proposal is scored on the extent that the placement provides development in the following competencies:
    • Decisiveness
    • Strategic Orientation
    • Development of People
    • Team Leadership
    • Achievement Orientation
    • Self-Confidence/Courage of Convictions
    • Impact and Influence
    • Relationship Building

  • Link with Workforce Planning: Proposal is scored on degree of linkage to the department's workforce planning strategies.

Hiring Your Intern

Hiring Process:

  • Step 1: The PSC advertises the position (i.e. Internet, newspapers, etc.)
  • Step 2: Applicants send their resumes along with a cover letter to your department.
  • Step 3: You screen the resumes, conduct interviews, and choose a candidate following the Fair Hiring Policy. You send a copy of the successful candidate’s resume to the PSC.
  • Step 4: The PSC administers the intern's pay.

Salary:
The PSC is responsible for paying your intern. Interns earn approximately $30,000 per year. The salary is set each spring. Interns will also receive regular benefits such as medical, dental, and vacation.

Training Allowance:
Your department is responsible for paying for your intern’s required training, which amounts to $850 per year. The intern is then able to attend training courses, some with the other interns and some on their own. This training will further develop your intern’s work-related skills.