Indigenous Intern Leadership Program
About
A joint initiative of the BC Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), the Business Council of BC (BCBC) and Vancouver Island University (VIU), the Indigenous Intern Leadership Program (IILP) is designed to facilitate the transition of Indigenous graduates into the workforce. This initiative strategically matches Indigenous professionals with British Columbia employers for at least a two-year tenure.
Additionally, the program aims to foster the creation of a supportive community for the interns. By establishing a network of mentors and peers, it seeks to enhance their professional growth and leadership skills, laying a strong foundation for their future career paths.
Objectives
- Identify and coordinate with all post-secondary institutions, Indigenous communities, and prospective employers to facilitate a pool of Indigenous employee and employer matches.
- Support and coordinate interview processes and provide ongoing counselling.
- Support relationship building among program participants.
- Coordinate with British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN), the Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC) and employers to help identify and adopt best practices and training approaches.
- With consent, collect relevant information from participants which can be used to inform future programming, inform the Ministry and employers, and for use in communications material.
Market Analysis
The Importance of Transition to Work
Transitioning from higher education into the workforce marks a significant phase in an individual's life, carrying profound implications both personally and socially. As new graduates strive to apply their academic training within the labor market, they often encounter challenges and barriers to entry. Nevertheless, these new professionals constitute an essential part of the talent pool crucial for bolstering Canada's economic prosperity now and in the future.
Benefits & Opportunities
- Indigenous Alumni Association – As a participant in the IILP, you will become a member of an alumni association intended to serve as a network of professional support. The members of the alumni will be able to use the platform provided as a means of connecting and communicating with other Indigenous professionals. The association is intended to create a group of Indigenous professionals in British Columbia who will serve as a resource to one another during and after the two year internship program.
Professional Development – Working in association with the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations (BCAFN) and the Business Council of British Columbia (BCBC), interns will be invited to attend 1-2 professional development activities each year. These activities will be hosted virtually by the Champions Table and be developed based on the interests of the interns, the host organizations and officials at Vancouver Island University, BCBC and BCAFN. In addition to these events, members of the alumni association will be informed of and invited to other professional development opportunities in British Columbia. These events may be hosted by universities, private companies or professional association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Employers must be willing to meet the following program requirements:
- offer a two-year employment position for an IILP participant
- be available for regular check-ins by phone or email
- identify a mentor for the intern who is Indigenous or possesses significant knowledge on Indigenous issues
To be eligible to apply for an internship through this initiative, internship candidates must:
- most candidates will be 35 years or younger at the start of employment
- graduated or graduating from a trades or technical program, diploma, degree or higher level of education program from a recognized post-secondary institution
- self-identify as Indigenous
- be a BC resident
- hold a valid Social Insurance Number and be able to work for a period of two years
Contact the career services department at your university to discuss your eligibility and to obtain assistance with job application documents. Once you are prepared to begin your employment search, email Patrick.Brennan@viu.ca to advise him that you are ready to get involved in the program. Patrick will provide you with the information needed to proceed to the next steps in program application.
Please be aware that during the program application process you may be asked to share the following documents:
- unofficial transcript
- cover letter
- resume
- references
- confirmation of graduation
Please contact Patrick Brennan, special advisor to the president, Vancouver Island University at Patrick.Brennan@viu.ca to discuss your organization and internship opportunity eligibility. Patrick will provide you with the information required to complete the program application process.
As the project sponsor, Vancouver Island University will be the administrator and primary point of contact for both internship candidates and employers.
Vancouver Island University will engage on a regular basis with potential employers and all public post-secondary institutions in British Columbia.
Vancouver Island University will also work closely with the Business Council of British Columbia and the British Columbia Assembly of First Nations to promote the program and identify new intern positions.
Patrick Brennan at Vancouver Island University will be available and provide ongoing support to interns, employers, members of BCBC and BCAFN, and can be reached at Patrick.Brennan@viu.ca.
- work with their university to prepare application documents
- commit to a two-year employment placement
- fulfill all job requirements as agreed to with their employer
- be responsible for transportation to and from work and their personal daily accommodations and expenses
- be available for regular check-ins by phone or email
- participate in training opportunities developed by the First Nations Public Service Secretariat and delivered as part of the IILP
- offer a two year employment position for an IILP participant and be responsible for all aspects of the internship beginning from the time of hiring, including provision of salary and compensation
- ensure that the intern gains valuable sectoral and business experience to the benefit of the intern
- be available for regular check-ins by phone or email
- identify a mentor for the intern who is Indigenous or possesses significant knowledge on Indigenous issues
Vancouver Island University is available to provide support and guidance to both the employer and interns as necessary.
Interest in participating in this initiative has been expressed to the Business Council of BC by leading organizations across the BC economy from all sectors including finance, technology, manufacturing, forestry, education, healthcare, energy, engineering, mining and professional services.
The location of the job is at the employers' discretion, however the location and potential for long term geographical movement (beyond acceptable business travel at the employer's expense) must be referenced in the original placement posting.
IILP training is developed by the First Nations Public Service Secretariat and delivered as part of the IILP. Interns will be informed of other potential networking opportunities.
Contact Us
Patrick Brennan
Special Advisor to the President, Vancouver Island University
Provision of strategic advice to senior officials in the public and private sectors, transition to work, leadership development and engagement with Indigenous youth and communities.
Email: patrick.brennan@viu.ca
Alison Gibson
Dean - Community Engagement & Careers, Okanagan College
Leadership and strategic oversight of Campus Administration teams across Penticton, Kelowna, Vernon, Salmon Arm campuses, and Revelstoke and Oliver Centers. Direction of the OC Careers Hub team in advancing Work Integrated Learning and Career Development. Sponsorship of community engagement projects, including the Indigenous Intern Leadership Program.
Email: agibson@okanagan.bc.ca
Carmen Kahl
Department Administrator - Community Engagement & Careers, Okanagan College
Oversees the execution of community engagement and career services, ensuring seamless operations and strategic support across Okanagan College campuses to enhance educational and partnership outcomes.
Email: ckahl@okanagan.bc.ca
Brooke McLaughlin
Community & Special Projects Coordinator - Community Engagement & Careers, Okanagan College
Community outreach, web development and event coordination, focusing on collaboration with Indigenous communities and partners. Assisting in raising awareness and facilitating networking for the Indigenous Intern Leadership Program.
Email: bmclaughlin@okanagan.bc.ca