Civil Service Internship Program Launched

Young Nova Scotians interested in a career with the civil service have a new opportunity to gain valuable work experience through Career Starts, a provincial internship program.

"We want to encourage the province's young people to consider a career with the civil service," said Wayne Gaudet, Minister of Human Resources, announcing the program. "Career Starts will give them hands-on government experience in a program designed to develop an interest in public service careers."

Career Starts will provide opportunities for 25 young people during the pilot year. Eligible interns can come from one of three categories: recent high school graduates, post-secondary students currently enrolled in universities, community colleges, or registered private trade schools; and recent post-secondary graduates. Summer placements are available for young people in the first two categories, and one-year placements are available for those in the third.

"For students interested in a career in the civil service, Career Starts will give them on-the-job experience that is crucial to finding work in today's job market," said Mr. Gaudet. "Career Starts goes beyond job experience and enables participants to see how organizations work, enjoy skills training and benefit from a mentor."

The program was developed by the Nova Scotia Youth Secretariat and the departments of Human Resources, Education and Culture, and Economic Development and Tourism. The internship opportunities include: assistant co-ordinator of gas hearing, with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board, junior human rights officer with the Human Rights Commission, and Year 2000 researcher with the Technology and Science Secretariat.

"Career Starts participants will also benefit from a specialized training program designed to help them develop, clarify and modify their career options," said Chris Webb, co-ordinator of Career Starts. In addition, they will learn about workplace issues ranging from occupational health and safety to how to work effectively in teams.

Each department will also assign a mentor to the student, to help support his or her career development while in government.

Information on the Career Starts program is available through Access Nova Scotia Centres and Human Resources Centres of Canada for Students, as well as on the Department of Human Resources website at http://www.gov.ns.ca/humr/ Applications should be sent to: Career Starts, Department of Human Resources, Client Services Division, One Government Place, 1700 Granville St., P.O. Box 943, Halifax, NS, B3J 2V9, or fax 902-424-0611.

Applications must be received by June 11, 1998.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For a backgrounder on Career Starts, with a list of internship positions available, please e-mail <[email protected].>