This year, over 100 interns were hired through the Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) Clean Tech Internship program, stimulating green jobs growth and working to reduce Canada’s impact on climate change. CICan is marking this milestone by highlighting a member institution which has had outstanding success placing science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) program graduates through clean tech internships: Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC).

NSCC’s involvement in CICan’s Clean Tech Internship provides significant added value for their graduates. “The program has given me the experience needed for future employment, and has connected me to many industry professionals,” says Jillian Duggan, NSCC graduate, Oceans Technology program. “The program is a great step into my future, bridging the gap between the classroom and a career.”

Supporting the Government of Canada’s focus on clean technology research and development as drivers for sustainable economic growth, the program allows eligible employers to receive a subsidy of up to $12,000 for each STEM program graduate hired.

To date, 14 STEM program graduates from NSCC have been hired through the program. “Clean Tech Internships are a fantastic added benefit that we have been able to provide to our students,” says Beth McCormack, Industry Liaison Officer, NSCC. “Next year, if the program is renewed, we believe we could easily place up to 20 graduates with Clean Tech Internship employers.”

Colleges and institutes can also benefit from the program as employers, if they have meaningful Clean Tech positions or projects for STEM graduates. This is another way NSCC has been able to benefit from the program. “The program so far has been excellent, and has allowed NSCC to expand research activities in the general area of applied oceans research,” says Dr. Craig Brown, Research Scientist and Clean Tech intern supervisor, NSCC.

The Clean Tech Internship program is still accepting applications from employers and we encourage CICan member institutions to participate. If you have a job opening for an intern or would like to place one of your graduates with an industry partner in clean technology, register as an employer today! You can also encourage your students to register as interns and apply for internships.

The Clean Tech Internship program was undertaken with the financial support of Environment and Climate Change Canada.