FAQs

General Program Information

1. What is the Ontario Internship Program (OIP)?
The Ontario Internship Program is a two-year, entry-level, paid opportunity working in the Ontario Public Service. It is available to people who have graduated with a degree or diploma within the last two years.
2. What job opportunities are available through the OIP? A variety of entry-level internship assignments are available in the following focus areas:
  • Business and Financial Planning
  • Communications
  • Human Resources
  • Information and Information Technology
  • Labour Relations
  • Policy Development
  • Project Management
3. What qualifications do recent graduates need to have?
Successful applicants will be those who can best demonstrate a range of competencies that support knowledge, skills and abilities in a particular focus area. Competencies are described as specific and observable knowledge, skills and behaviours that are associated with effective functioning in a job. Examples of technical and non-technical competencies include such skills as:
  • Communication (oral and written)
  • Research and analytical
  • Customer service
  • Teamwork and project management
  • Business and financial
  • Information technology
4. Where are the internships located?
Internships are available in every ministry across the Ontario Public Service. The majority of placements are expected to be in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), however opportunities are also available in regions outside of the GTA. The distribution of focus area placements varies across the province. The OIP cannot guarantee that placements will be available in all parts of the province, however, candidates can indicate preferred work locations on their application form.
5. How many interns will be hired?
The OIP hires up to 150 interns each year. In 2007, 115 interns were hired. In 2006, 119 interns were hired.
6. How many people apply each year?
In 2007, more than 2,408 applications were received for 115 internship placements in the following focus areas:
Focus Area Number of Applicants Number Hired
Business and Financial Planning 326 20
Communications 404 18
Human Resources 318 15
Information Technology 256 15
Labour Relations 171 12
Policy Development 621 25
Project Management 312 10
Total 2408 115

Eligibility

7. Who is eligible?
You can apply if you have graduated from a recognized college or university with a degree or a diploma within the last two years (May 2006 to August 2008). Proof of your educational credentials will be required during the recruitment process.
You must be legally entitled to work in Canada to participate in the program. At the time of an employment offer, candidates will be asked to provide information confirming their entitlement to work in Canada (i.e. proof of Canadian citizenship, proof of permanent residency in Canada or written authority to work in Canada from an immigration officer as per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act). You cannot be hired until you have provided your proof of entitlement to work in Canada.
Current and former OIP interns cannot reapply to the program.
If you fail to meet program eligibility requirements, you will be disqualified and/or a conditional job offer will be rescinded.
8. Do certificates meet the eligibility criteria?
No. Certificates do not meet the eligibility requirements in place of a degree or diploma, regardless of whether a degree/diploma was required to enter the certificate program. This includes programs that are specified by the educational institution as certificates as well as those that make reference to a certificate in their program title (i.e. a 'Diploma Certificate' is considered a certificate and does not meet the eligibility criteria for the OIP). Individuals should confirm the full title of their credential before applying to the program. Proof of academic credentials will be required during the recruitment process.
9. How do I determine if my academic credentials are from a 'recognized' college or university?

The Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC) provides a database of Recognized Postsecondary Institutions in Canada. Visit http://www.cicic.ca/en/post-sec.aspx?sortcode=2.16.22&s=1 or phone 416-962-9725.

If you obtained your academic credentials outside Canada, CICIC will provide you with information on credential assessment services. In Ontario, World Education Services Canada (WES Canada) provides this service. With a WES evaluation report, you will know the Canadian equivalency of your academic achievements. Contact WES Canada by visiting http://www.wes.org/ca/ or by phone at 416-972-0070 or toll-free: 866-343-0070 (from outside the 416 area code) or by e-mail at Canada@wes.org.
Please note that proof of your academic credentials (e.g. official transcripts) will be required during the recruitment process. Make sure you have your credential evaluation complete so there is no delay in participating in the recruitment process.
10. Do I need a graduate degree to be successful?
No. In 2007, 66 per cent of interns hired held undergraduate degrees or diplomas, while 34 per cent held Masters degrees or above.
11. When will I be required to provide proof of my educational credentials?
Candidates are required to provide proof of their educational credentials at the time of the interview (March 10 - 31, 2008). Please ensure you provide yourself sufficient time to acquire these documents.
12. Do I have to be a Canadian citizen to apply?
No, however you must be legally entitled to work in Canada before you can be hired (i.e., you must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or possess written authority to work in Canada from an immigration officer as per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act).
13. I am an international student attending a Canadian university/college who will graduate with a degree/diploma. Can I apply for an internship?
You are eligible to apply to the program provided you meet the eligibility requirements. At the time an employment offer is made, you will be requested to provide proof confirming your entitlement to work in Canada (i.e. proof of Canadian citizenship, proof of permanent residency in Canada or written authority to work in Canada from an immigration officer as per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act).
The employment offer is conditional on your ability to provide proof that you meet the eligibility requirements of the program, and confirming entitlement to work in Canada. Failure to meet these conditions will result in disqualification or rescinding of the conditional employment offer.
14. Do I need to be bilingual (English/French) to join the program?
No, you do not need to be bilingual to participate in the internship program. Internships require English language skills. However, program information and the on-line application is offered in French.
15. Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit to apply to the program.

Applications

16. When will you begin accepting applications?
You can apply online from January 2, 2008 – January 30, 2008.
17. What is the application deadline?
Applications will be accepted up to January 30, 2008 at 12:00 noon Eastern Standard Time. Please note that only one application per candidate will be accepted for the 2008 program year. Make sure you review your application carefully before submitting to the OIP.
18. May I submit a paper application?
Applications must be submitted through our online system. If you are unable to submit an online application, contact us at opsintern@ontario.ca to obtain an application in an alternative format.
19. Is program information available in alternative formats?
Program information is also offered in French. Applicants requiring information in an alternative format should call toll-free Employment Ontario: at 1-800-387-5656.
20. I have a disability. How will I be accommodated?
The Ontario Public Service is an equal opportunity employer. The OIP will accommodate persons with disabilities in accordance with the OPS Equal Opportunity Operating Policy, Employment Accommodation for People with Disabilities Operating Policy, Workplace Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy and in accordance with the Human Rights Code. Accommodation for applicants with disabilities will be provided at each stage of the recruitment process. If you have a disability and require accommodation to complete the OIP application form, please contact us at opsintern@ontario.ca. In addition, if you are invited to participate in the testing and/or interview stages of the competition, you will be asked whether you require special accommodation. Please notify us of your requirements at the time of your invitation to participate in the testing and/or interview stage, so we can make arrangements in advance.
21. Can I make changes to the content of my application once I have submitted it?
No. Once you have submitted your application, you cannot make changes to its content. However, changes to your contact information will be accepted.
22. How can I update my contact information if it changes after I submit my application?
It is your responsibility to keep your contact information up-to-date throughout the recruitment process. Visit http://www.ontario.ca/careers and select Youth and New Professionals, Jump-Start Your Career, Internships & Co-ops, Ontario Internship Program, Apply Online in order to update your contact information. You will be required to enter the username and password that you created when you registered. This information was displayed to you on screen and an acknowledgement email was sent to you with your username and password.
23. What if I have forgotten my username and password?
If you have forgotten or misplaced your username and password, you may obtain it by visiting http://www.ontario.ca/careers and selecting Youth and New Professionals, Jump-Start Your Career, Internships & Co-ops, Ontario Internship Program, Apply Online.
24. Can I cut and paste my answers from a word document into the OIP application?
If possible, use Notepad or another text editor when cutting and pasting answers into the online application. If you must use MS Word, please be sure to turn off smart quotes before typing and do not use special character sets. To turn off smart quotes, choose Tools from the menu bar and select Autocorrect. Under the "Autoformat as You Type" tab in the "Replace as You Type" section, make sure the "Straight Quotes with Smart Quotes" box is not checked.
25. How will I know if my application has been received?

Once your application has been submitted, you will receive a confirmation notice on your screen along with your User ID and password. Please print this notice for your records. In addition, you will also receive an email confirming the receipt of your application with your User ID and password.

Given the high volume of applications the OIP receives, please refrain from calling if you have received these messages of confirmation.
26. Is there any additional criteria applied to applications that are submitted in paper format?
Eligibility criteria remain the same. However, it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all information is complete and legible. Failure to do so could result in an ineligible application.

Written Test, Interviews, Job Offers

27. When will written tests and interviews take place?
Written tests will be taking place February 18 – 29, 2008 at various locations in the province. Successful candidates will be invited to attend an interview between March 10 - 31, 2008. For further information on our timelines, visit the ‘Recruitment Process and Timelines’ section of this site. Note that the above dates are subject to change depending on the volume of applications received.
28. Will I be notified if I am not selected to participate in the written test and/or interview?
No. Only those candidates selected to participate in the written test and/or interview will be contacted.
29. If I don’t receive a job offer, can I reapply to the program?
If you are unsuccessful in 2008, you may reapply for next year's program (2009) provided you continue to meet the program eligibility criteria. Candidates may only submit one application per program year.
30. If I don’t receive a job offer, can I get feedback on my application?
Unsuccessful applicants may request feedback on the evaluation of their application, written test or interview by writing to oipinfo@hrassociates.ca between July 1, 2008 and August 1, 2008. Candidates requesting feedback will be contacted by email to schedule a day and time to receive their feedback.
31. At what point will I be contacted if I am to receive a job offer?
Job offers will begin in April 2008 and continue into May. A job offer will be made to successful candidates. Please note, offers are conditional subject to meeting eligibility requirements.

Placements

32. When do the internships begin?
Internships will begin on June 16, 2008. Note that this date is subject to change depending on the volume of applications received.
33. If I am offered an internship, will I be placed in my first location preference?
The OIP application asks you to identify two work location preferences. Most placements will be in the first location preference identified. If your first preference is not possible, we will do our best to accommodate your second location preference. If a suitable placement in either of your preferred locations is not available, you may be offered a placement in another location.
34. Will I be reimbursed for relocation costs if I relocate to a work location other than where I am living?
No. The OIP does not provide reimbursement of relocation costs.
35. If I accept an internship, may I choose my own job placement and/or ministry?
Interns do not choose their own job placement or ministry. The OIP assigns interns to ministry placements based on a number of factors, including organizational business needs, available focus area assignments and ministry business priorities, as well as interns’ skills, experience and geographic preference.
36. How will the two-year internship be structured?
Once a job offer is accepted, interns are matched to a ministry placement and provided with a one-year contract. All interns rotate to a new assignment after 12 months, with the exception of labour relations interns who rotate to a new assignment at eight-month intervals (three assignments over 24 months). Second-year contracts will be offered on the condition that the intern's work performance has been assessed at a satisfactory level.

Learning and Development

37. What kind of learning and development do interns receive in the program?
Interns receive:
  • A comprehensive orientation to the Ontario Public Service
  • Specific learning curriculum for each focus area
  • A placement mentor who will provide professional advice and guidance
  • Advice on how to make the most of their internship experience
38. What happens to interns after their two-year assignments are complete?
While there are no guarantees of ongoing employment beyond the two-year term of the Program, interns are encouraged, and well trained, to compete for ongoing employment opportunities. On average, 75 per cent of interns secure ongoing employment within the OPS after leaving the Program.

Further Information

For more information, you may call toll-free Employment Ontario: 1-800-387-5656 or email us at opsintern@ontario.ca.