Internship program for young Canadian immigrants to be expanded

The Young Newcomers Internship Program (YNIP) gives new Canadian immigrants a four-month internship and, where possible, a second four-month internship to maximize their learning opportunity.

The Canadian Immigration minister said this program will now be expanded to other government departments and agencies so that more immigrants can benefit from it.

“When newcomers succeed, we all succeed,” said Minister Kenney.

“The Young Newcomers Internship Program is an excellent example of how we can help refugees and newcomers overcome one of the key barriers to integration by offering them vital Canadian work experience.”

In the first year Citizenship and Immigration Canada offered placements for 12 young people, and in the second some 20 interns from countries such as Afghanistan and Ethiopia participated.

Human Resources and Skills Development Canada offered work placement opportunities for 24 interns.

Discussion on the expansion of internship opportunities to other federal departments and agencies is under way, including  partnerships with the World University Service of Canada and other immigrant-serving agencies.

The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people lodge their Canadian visa applications with the Canadian Embassy.