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FAQs

General Information

1. Where are the internships located?
Internship placements are available across the province in various ministries and agencies. The majority of the internship placements are in Toronto.
Candidates can indicate their preferred work locations on their application form. The OIP cannot guarantee the availability of relevant work placements in all cities.
2. How many interns are hired each year?
The OIP hires approximately 265 interns annually.
3. How many people apply to the OIP each year?
The OIP receives approximately 3000 applications each year.
4. How many interns get jobs following the program?
Over the past five years, 90% of interns have been retained in the organization. The OIP provides career supports to help interns transition into their next role in the OPS.
5. What is the salary for OIP interns?
The current OIP Intern salary is $57,085 plus benefits.

Eligibility

6. Is there an age limit?
There is no age limit to apply to the OIP program.
7. Can an internship in the OIP program be used towards completion of a Co-operative Placement?
No, the OIP program offers full-time paid employment. Internships cannot be used towards completion of another program’s co-op requirements. Internships are available to people who have graduated or who will graduate within the eligibility timelines.
Co-op placements in the Ontario Public Service are posted at various educational institutions across Ontario. Check for co-op job postings with your school’s career centre and co-op office.
8. Why does the OIP have extended eligibility?
The OIP is committed to providing inclusive and barrier-free recruitment to all candidates. The OIP is also committed to supporting an OPS that represents the population that it serves. In our efforts to meet these goals, the OIP has extended the eligibility window for Indigenous, Black, Persons with Disabilities and bilingual (French/English) applicants to 5 years following graduation.

Indigenous Persons

To diversify the talent continuum that strives to support Indigenous talent, the OIP has extended the eligibility window for Indigenous applicants to 5 (five) years following graduation. The Indigenous Internship Stream (IIS) will allow for enhanced supports throughout both the recruitment process and the internship program. Candidates must self-identify as First Nations, Métis or Inuit to apply as an Indigenous applicant. Please refer to Section 35(2) of The Canadian Constitution.

Black Persons

In alignment with our diversity and inclusion efforts, the OIP has extended the eligibility window for Black applicants to 5 (five) years following graduation. Further, the Black Internship Stream will allow for enhanced supports throughout both the recruitment process and the internship program. Candidates must self-identify as Black, regardless of their cultural identity or place of birth.

Persons with Disabilities

In our efforts to offer more inclusive recruitment, the OIP has extended the eligibility window for persons with a disability to 5 (five) years following graduation. The Ability Internship Stream will allow for enhanced supports throughout both the recruitment process and the internship program. Candidates must have a disability as defined under section 2 of The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005).

Bilingual (French-English) Persons

As part of a broader cross-government strategy, in alignment with the French Language Services Act (FLSA), the OIP is working to address the Ontario Public Service's capacity to deliver French-language services and promote the recruitment and retention of bilingual French-English candidates in order to improve access to French-language services and increase accountability for government and agencies.
9. Why does the OIP have streams?
In our efforts to offer more inclusive recruitment for priority underrepresented groups, the OIP has established three streams to support the recruitment of people identifying as a person with a disability, Black or Indigenous.

Ability Internship Stream (AIS)

The AIS launched in 2023 and will continue in 2025 to increase representation of persons with disabilities, defined under section 2 of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, (2005). The “Accessible by Design”: 2022-25 OPS Multi-Year Accessibility Plan commits to increasing the representation of persons with disabilities in the OPS. The creation of this stream for recent graduates with disabilities, aims to remove employment barriers for this underrepresented group.

Black Internship Stream (BIS)

The BIS launched in 2024, building off the success of the Black Alliance Internship Program (BAIP) pilot and is tailored to post-secondary graduates who identify as Black. The BIS aligns with the OPS' diversity and inclusion efforts and initiatives outlined in the OPS People Plan, to support the OPS' goal to attract diverse entry level talent.

Indigenous Internship Stream (IIS)

Building off the foundation created by the Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) (2017-2024), new for 2025 is the Indigenous Internship Stream (IIS) for Indigenous post-secondary graduates who identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Metis or Inuit). IIS aligns with the OPS' diversity and inclusion efforts and initiatives, outlined in the OPS People Plan.
In order to uphold the integrity of the IIS and to ensure opportunities are being offered to those who the program is intended for, all candidates who apply must self-identify as either First Nations, Metis or Inuk, as defined by Section 35(2) of the Canadian Constitution.

The AIS, BIS and IIS will allow for enhanced supports throughout the recruitment process and the internship program. To be eligible for these streams, applicants must have graduated from an eligible post-secondary program in the last five years and identify as Black, Indigenous or as a person with a disability and choose to be considered for a stream in their application.

Applications

10. May I submit a paper application?
Applications are submitted through our online system. If you are unable to submit electronically and require accommodation to complete the OIP application form, please contact us at least one week prior to the application deadline at contact.oip@ontario.ca.
11. Is program information available in alternative formats?
Applicants requiring information in an alternative format should email contact.oip@ontario.ca.
12. What is the process to apply for bilingual placements?
The majority of placements in the Ontario Internship Program are English-language positions, and the written test and interview recruitment stages are conducted in English. Only applicants who have been presented with a conditional offer of employment may proceed to additional testing. These applicants may be invited to an assessment of their French language skills (i.e. writing and speaking). The individuals who pass the French language skills assessment may be considered for a bilingual placement subject to available assignments. Individuals who do not pass the French language skills assessment may be placed in an English-language placement.
13. I have a disability. Will my disability be accommodated?
The Ontario Public Service is an equal opportunity employer. The OIP will accommodate persons with disabilities in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code.
Accommodation for applicants with disabilities will be provided at each stage of the recruitment process and throughout the internship. If you have a disability and require accommodation to complete the OIP application form, please contact us at contact.oip@ontario.ca. In addition, if you are invited to participate further in the selection process, you will be asked whether you require accommodation. Please notify us of your requirements at the time of your invitation, so we can make arrangements in advance.
14. 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.
15. 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 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.

Written Test, Interviews, Job Offers

16. How will the OIP program communicate with me throughout the recruitment process?
Applicants will receive a confirmation email following the submission of their application. Please ensure that your contact information is up-to-date so that we can stay in touch with you. If your contact information changes, it is your responsibility to notify the program.
17. Will I be notified if I am not selected to participate further in the selection process?
No. Only those candidates selected to participate in further stages of the selection process will be contacted during the specified recruitment timelines.
18. If I don’t receive a job offer, can I reapply to the program?
If you are unsuccessful, you may reapply to the program the following year provided you continue to meet the program eligibility criteria. Candidates may only submit one application per program year.
19. 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 performance during the selection process.
20. 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.
21. 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. 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.
22. 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.
23. Can I participate in the OIP while attending school full-time?
No, the OIP offers a one-year full-time paid developmental opportunity specifically for post-secondary graduates. As you are expected to be at your work placement full-time during business hours, you cannot also be attending school full-time.

Learning and Development

24. What kind of learning and development opportunities do interns receive in the program?
Interns will experience a vibrant culture of learning and leadership. We offer blended learning approaches that suit all learning styles and career interests. During the internship experience interns will receive:
  • A comprehensive orientation to the Ontario Public Service
  • Access to functional communities and employee networks
  • A placement manager and mentor to help achieve their professional goals
  • Ongoing feedback, coaching and mentoring for career growth and development
25. What happens to interns after their assignment is complete?
While there are no guarantees of ongoing employment beyond completion of the program, interns are sought-after talent, well-trained and supported to compete for ongoing employment opportunities. On average, approximately 90 percent of interns secure employment immediately following the program, and almost 70 percent choose to stay with the Ontario Public Service after five years of completing the OIP.

Demographic Survey

26. I received a survey after I submitted my application. What is the survey for? How will my responses be used?
The OIP continually strives to remove barriers to recruitment in order to align with the OPS’ diversity and inclusion efforts, plans and strategies. Based on data received, several initiatives have been undertaken by the program to remove potential barriers (e.g. extended eligibility for Indigenous, Black, bilingual French-English persons and persons with disabilities). Participation is voluntary.
27. Who will have access to my information?
All information collected is legally protected under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The OIP will have exclusive access to this information and it will not be used for any other purpose other than to improve recruitment and program delivery.
All information provided is anonymous and will be kept confidential. The results of this survey and data are collected, analyzed and will be reported on an aggregate basis. To ensure respondent confidentiality, no individual responses will be released.
28. Who do I contact with further questions regarding the survey?
Please email contact.oip@ontario.ca.

For more information, you may call Employment Ontario toll-free at: 1-800-387-5656 or by TTY at 1-800-533-6339.