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Student Employment in the Federal Government Our Workforce of Tomorrow
Introduction
Welcome to the Public Service of Canada! Working as a student in the federal government gives you the opportunity to develop the skills and experience you will need to enter the workforce once you graduate. Recognizing the wealth of knowledge, energy, and innovative ideas that students bring into its organizations, the federal government hires approximately 12,000 students every year.
As a student in the federal government, you have the chance to
- develop the skills and experience you will need to find good jobs after graduation;
- identify areas of future employment opportunities;
- evaluate your career options within the federal Public Service;
- enrich your academic programs; and
- help fund your education.
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"If I had an impression before that government jobs are routine, day-to-day, repetitive jobs, then what I do and what I observe people doing is certainly the exception. The research here can be creative, challenging and allows for more flexibility than the research and development departments in private sector high-tech industries." Vincent Fong is a |
This booklet was designed to provide you with some of the tools you will need to have a good quality assignment in the federal government. You will read about such things as what to expect from your manager, four of the government's larger student programs, and mentoring. We have also provided answers to some of our most frequently asked questions. Later in the booklet, you will find a guide to creating a learning plan that you should use in co-ordination with your manager. The purpose of this learning plan is to help give purpose and direction to your assignment (Annex 1). As well, we have provided a detachable exit questionnaire for you to complete and send to your department's student co-ordinator or Human Resources representative at the end of your assignment (Annex 2).
We want you!
The federal Public Service is committed to offering students valuable learning assignments that represent structured pathways from a school environment to the world of work.
Planning ahead!
With 44% of government employees eligible to retire by 2010, it is more important than ever to bring students into the Public Service of Canada. As a participant in a student program, you have the opportunity to be rehired once you complete your studies, and this gives you a better chance to become a permanent member of the Public Service. For more information on how to get involved, read on!
Did you know?
The Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) has a Student Employment Policy that encourages federal organizations to hire students in order to develop a pool of qualified candidates for future Public Service appointments. The policy is full of useful information, including links to such topics as rates of pay, that can be found in the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students.
If you would like to learn more about our policy, visit our Web site at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca.
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What should I expect from my manager?
When you start working in a new place, it is important to know who is responsible for what. We have provided you with some information to shed a little light on what you should expect from your manager when you begin your work in the Public Service.
According to the Student Employment Policy, your manager must
- identify appropriate work assignments and create a working environment that will allow you to help the organization meet its operational needs while developing and enhancing your skills;
- develop a structured learning plan in co-ordination with you, defining what you should accomplish (see Annex 1 for a model learning plan), or use the generic plan provided by your academic institution combined with a description of the specific assignment; and
- assess your progress at the end of the assignment.
In addition to supervising and guiding you, your manager could recommend future assignments in the federal government. Talk with your manager and explore your options.
Student Employment Programs in the Federal Government
There are many programs available for students interested in working for the federal government. You may already be a participant in one of these, or you or someone you know might like to become involved in the future. These programs give students many different opportunities and are worth checking out.
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"I have really enjoyed the fact that the student employee is treated as an equal. Where there are staff meetings or employee outings, I am never excluded. My project is taken just as seriously as those of others. " David Youssef is a 4th year student in International Management at the University of Ottawa. He obtained a job with the federal government through FSWEP. |
Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP)
FSWEP offers employment opportunities for full-time secondary school, CÉGEP, college, technical institute and university students. Federal departments and agencies recruit students through FSWEP for approximately 7,000 temporary student jobs each year.
For more information on this program, visit http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/menu/home_e.htm.
Post-secondary Co-op/Internship Program
This program provides post-secondary students with assignments related to their field of study and offers them the opportunity to use their academic knowledge in an actual work setting.
For more information, visit http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/menu/home_e.htm or inquire with the career centre at your school.
Research Affiliate Program
This program offers post-secondary students the opportunity to gain experience in applied research (design, execution, evaluation), that they may require in order to graduate. It is also designed to help the Government of Canada conduct research; retain possession of intellectual property and patents; control the use of information; and promote the transfer of scientific findings.
Secondary School Co-op Education Program
This program is designed to introduce secondary school students to the world of work while gaining academic credits towards graduation. It offers assignments that help students develop essential job skills, effective work habits, and an awareness of occupational possibilities.
For more information on the programs listed above, visit http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca.
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Life After University
Post-secondary Recruitment Program
If a career in the Public Service is what you want, then this program is for you. The Post-secondary Recruitment Program is specially designed to recruit university graduates who have the qualifications needed to fill entry-level positions in federal government departments.
For more information on this program, go to http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/menu/home_e.htm.
Mentoring
There is a lot to learn from experienced employees in the federal Public Service. They can provide you with guidance, useful tips, and information about the organization and can introduce and orient you to your new working community.
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a one-to-one relationship based on encouragement, constructive comments, openness, mutual trust, respect, and a willingness to learn and share. It exists between a more experienced employee (sometimes, but not necessarily, a supervisor) and a less experienced employee (e.g. a student).
How could mentoring benefit you?
Mentoring can
- increase your knowledge about how the government works;
- help you to better understand your role in the organization;
- provide a safe environment that supports constructive criticism;
- give you wisdom, advice, help, and encouragement;
- help you to establish your goals;
- provide effective learning opportunities;
- provide networking opportunities; and
- help you to identify potential future employment options.
Many federal departments and agencies have developed their own mentoring programs. To find more information, contact the Human Resources Branch or Division in your department or agency or visit A Guide to Mentoring Students at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca.
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Stuff you might want to know...
We get a lot of questions from students and managers dealing with various student issues. Included below are answers to some of the most often asked questions. If you have other questions, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions - Student Employment Policy and Programs Web site at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca or contact us by e-mail at student.etudiant@tbs-sct.gc.ca.
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Re-employment
Q. What is "re-employment" and how does it work?
Updated May 2003
A. Students who were initially selected through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) or Co-op Program in a fair, transparent, equitable and non-partisan manner, can be re-employed in the same type of job. In order to be considered for employment or re-employment, all students must submit a new application each year, regardless of whether they have already worked in the federal Public Service. However, it is the department's responsibility to request that a particular student be re-employed. Once this request is made, the student's application is "referred" to the same type of job that he or she held during the past year.
If a department submits a request to re-employ a specific student to the Public Service Commission (PSC), but the student has not submitted an application, the student cannot be considered and cannot be referred by the PSC for re-employment.
As a best practice, managers should discuss in advance with students their intentions regarding re-employment.
Bridging mechanisms
Q. Can a student who has worked under one of the student employment programs get a job in the federal Public Service after the student has completed his or her post-secondary studies?
A. Yes, the PSC introduced two flexible, merit-based mechanisms to "bridge" students participating in FSWEP or the Post-Secondary Co-op/Internship Program into federal government positions after the students have completed their post-secondary studies.
A bridging mechanism facilitates the hiring of individuals in the federal Public Service. If you are interested in employment after the completion of your studies, discuss bridging options with your manager.
For more information on bridging mechanisms, visit the following Web sites:
FSWEP: http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/menu/home_e.htm
Co-op : http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/menu/home_e.htm
Manager's Handbook on Staffing and Recruitment: www.psc-cfp.gc.ca
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"The job growth in other areas is incredible, meaning that if I had wanted to move on, there were still many jobs available for me. I think that the federal government is a great place for job growth and job diversity." Alexander Sanita is a 3rd year |
Rates of pay
Q. The Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students refers to both a student rate of pay and student salary range. Is there a difference between these two terms, and if so, what is it?
A. Secondary school students are paid according to a single rate of pay. This is a flat rate based on the geographic zone in which the student is working. All secondary students working in a given geographic zone are paid at the same rate. If a secondary student lives in one zone and accepts a job in another, the student is paid the rate corresponding to the zone in which the job is located.
On the other hand, post-secondary students are paid within a salary range, which is made up of several rates of pay. Departments have the authority to select a rate of pay within the salary range that they feel is appropriate. This flexibility allows departments to offer post-secondary students a rate of pay based on the students' past experience, skills, previous degrees or diplomas related to the job, etc. Further, the salary range allows departments to provide a meaningful progression in a post-secondary student's pay on subsequent assignments.
For more information about rates of pay and salary ranges, see Appendix A of the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca.
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All of the Treasury Board publications referred to in this document are available on the Treasury Board Web site on GENet and the Internet.
Student Employment Policy
Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students
Student Employment Programs in the Federal Government
Guide to Mentoring Students
To access these sites, type one of the following in the address section of your World Wide Web browser:
TBS Web site:
GENet Access:
http://publiservice.tbs-sct.gc.ca
Internet Access: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca
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Other sites of interest
- www.psc-cfp.gc.ca: The PSC Web site provides you with links to employment programs, job listings, staffing handbooks, and other great stuff.
- www.jobs.gc.ca: This site provides you with links to government student programs, job listings, and much more.
Send any questions on student issues to your departmental student co-ordinator or e-mail us at
student.etudiant@tbs-sct.gc.ca.
We Want Your Feedback!
Let us know what you think about this booklet.
Please forward your thoughts and suggestions to student.etudiant@tbs-sct.gc.ca.
