This page provides Hosts with basic information required to participate in the CIEP program.

Please note before you apply…

This co-operative internship program should not be confused with “co-op placements” used within the high school system. The CIEP program places eligible interns with host organizations from business co-operatives and credit unions across the province, and interns will become familiar with this very successful and unique business model throughout their placements.

HOST GUIDE

All host organizations which are considering hiring an intern should download and consult a copy of the CIEP Host Guide, found in the Related Documents at the top right of this page. This comprehensive manual was developed to help simplify the application and recruitment process for our hosts, and outlines the program’s objectives, expectations and steps required to participate in the co-operative internship program.

In order to proceed with the application process, all potential hosts MUST sign the Acknowledgement of Host Obligations form, found in the Host Guide, confirming that they have read, understood and comply with the terms set forth in the Host Guide, before they send in the Host Application.

HOST ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

In order to be eligible and participate in the program, a host organization should be a Member or Supporter of On Co-op, or a member of a federation which is a member of On Co-op. If you are not already a Member or Supporter, please contact the Membership and Communications Manager, Mark Ventry, at 519.763.8271 x 30 or via email  to apply for Membership before sending in your CIEP application. If a host applicant does not wish to become a member, then a different Registration Fee will apply—see page 8, point 5 of the Host Guide.

HOST APPLICATION AND RECRUITMENT PROCESS

In order to participate in the program, hosts must follow and complete all the steps, as outlined in the Guide and summarized on the Host Check List.

Here is a brief 10-Point summary of the application and recruitment process:

1. Host applicant reviews Host Guide to understand obligations and commitments to program.
2. Host applicant signs and returns the Acknowledgement of Host Obligation form.
3. Host applicant completes and submits the Host Application form (note: a separate form must be submitted for each intake, and for each intern candidate requested by a given host organization).
4. Host applicant completes and submits a detailed Job Description for the internship placement.
5. Host applicant signs a Memorandum of Agreement with On Co-op and pays the applicable, non-refundable registration fee.
6. On Co-op posts job descriptions to the Service Canada Job Bank and On Co-op website.
7. On Co-op performs initial screening of resumes, and emails qualified candidates to host applicants for consideration.
8. Host applicant interviews top candidates and makes a hiring decision.
9. Host applicant notifies On Co-op of hiring decision…and both host and intern applicants become participants in the CIEP!
10. Host and intern complete required forms as outlined in Guide and Check List, and return to On Co-op before placement begins.

For more detailed information on the application and recruitment process, please consult pages 6-10 of the Host Guide.

It is very important for all host applicants to understand that applying for an intern does not guarantee that they will hire one, due to a restricted number of interns eligible for participation in each intake. This number may change with each contract, and host applicants will be notified in advance.

While On Co-op does its best to operate on a first-come, first-served basis, there are a few realities beyond our control that can influence the recruitment process. These include: lack of suitable candidates for a given position; hiring decisions being delayed past program deadlines; or candidates withdrawing from the program before the internship commences. In other words, the first-come first-serve process is possible only up until the job descriptions have been posted and the initial batch of resumes has been distributed to host applicants. From that point forward, those hosts who are able to interview and successfully hire an intern within the required time frame will qualify to participate.

For more information on the realities of the CIEP recruitment process, please consult page 8 of the Host Guide.

Host Obligations

1. Wages and Reimbursements: Based on a 35-hour work week, all hosts are required to pay a minimum subsidy of $3.00/hour over and above the Service Canada supplement (currently at $10.25/hour) throughout the 26-week program period. The amount is paid bi-weekly by the host employer directly to the intern, and must include the mandatory employment related costs (MERCS) such as vacation, CPP and EI. If possible, hosts are very strongly encouraged to pay more than the $3.00/hour subsidy as a way to help attract strong candidates and to retain them. Note: Hosts are only reimbursed for the MERCS covering the Service Canada supplemented amount. In addition, any overtime or other compensation (e.g., travel to meetings and events other than the mandatory 3-day workshop) will not be reimbursed by On Co-op or Service Canada, and is the sole responsibility of the host employer. Overtime can be compensated via lieu time or pay out, as agreed by the host organization and the intern.
2. Guidance and Mentorship: In order for the internship to be truly successful, host employers are expected to provide some initial training, as well as on-going guidance and mentorship throughout the interns’ placement. This is an excellent way to ensure that the internship experience is maximized for the intern, while also providing the host organization with great benefits. Consult pages 4 -5 of the Host Guide for some simple and prudent suggestions on how to engage your intern. Although there is no additional funding provided for professional development, hosts are also encouraged, when possible, to provide outside networking and learning opportunities for their interns.
3. Monthly Timesheets, Expense Reports, and Site visits:  In order to be reimbursed by On Co-op, monthly timesheets must be completed, signed by both host and intern, and submitted in a timely manner to the CIEP Project Manager. Any travel expenses related to the 3-day workshop series must also be signed by both host and intern, and submitted to On Co-op with original receipts, for reimbursement of any travel costs incurred. Please consult pages 5 and 6 of the Host Guide for more information.
   At some point during the internship, the CIEP Project Manger may choose to conduct a “check-in” by phone and/or a site visit in person, with both host and intern at a mutually convenient time. These are informal talks or visits to evaluate how the internship is progressing. Hosts are encouraged to contact the CIEP Project Manager at any point during the program, should they have any questions or concerns.
4. Final Evaluations: Hosts will be required to complete some paper work at the end of the internship, including a final evaluation form. This information is mainly used to compile information for Service Canada, evaluate how the internship went overall, as well as to provide On Co-op with some feedback and testimonials to be potentially used for the website, or promotion of the program in general.

MENTORSHIP

CIEP is an internship program, and thus the employees hired through it are expected to develop skills and knowledge over the course of their employment. The on-the-job learning of interns is most often facilitated by assigning each CIEP participant a mentor within your organization.

Mentoring is an exploratory experience that establishes a relationship between a professional in a chosen field, and a youth who intends to develop a career in the same/similar field. It allows youth to get advice, guidance and coaching from a professional working in the same organization as the intern. The mentor will assist interns and provide support and other resources as they progress in their internship.

The Benefits of Mentoring

It's a win-win situation.  Here are some benefits that a mentor and his/her organization can expect:  Develop relationships with today's young adults; help them develop good working skills; personal growth for the mentor as they work with a new person and help them to learn, grow and experience; the feeling of helping a young person as they move into the working world; and a potential of developing a permanent staff member at the end of the internship.

The Duration of the Mentorship

The time line for the Mentorship generally corresponds to the length of the internship. Ultimately, though,  the youth and the mentor may determine the length. This partnership is designed to be flexible as possible to meet the needs of both partners.

What to Expect

The youth and the professional would work together to decide the best way to fulfill their mentorship experience. The mentor initiates the first meeting, where goals, objectives and the parameters of the mentoring relationship are discussed and agreed to. The youth and the mentor meet on a regular basis via phone, email or in person. The mentor may invite the youth to sit in on work-related meetings, planning sessions or other initiatives related to the mentor's field.

CIEP mentorships generally focus on education, career and work-related issues. Life issues may also arise, and it is up to the mentor to decide how to deal with this.

Mentor Suitability

Many times in our careers, we may have acted as mentors without realizing it.  For example, assisting new employees or providing advice for tasks they are not familiar with are characteristics of being a mentor. If, upon looking back, you realize that you have already accomplished some of the tasks of a mentor, you are probably ready to take on a more formal mentorship role. 

By expressing understanding and interest in the careers of young people, one can develop a lasting relationship that may guide a bright young person's future. 

Hire a CIEP Graduate!

• Hiring a graduate of the CIEP could be a wonderful opportunity for you and your co-op or credit union! 
• They have completed their placements and spent the past months developing their job skills, while learning about the co-operative model and how the principles apply to their own host organizations.
• Interns also completed an intensive 3-day workshop series that together with various skill-building sessions, also provided them with an opportunity to visit several local co-ops and gain a more in-depth understanding of the co-operative business enterprise model and how it applies to diverse sectors.
• Many of our graduates continue to look for opportunities within the sector from which to transfer their new-found knowledge and skills. If you have an opening within your co-op and/or even some contract work that you would like completed, why not consider hiring one of our past interns?
• If you are interested in contacting an intern for a potential employment opportunity, please e-mail Audrey Aczel using the contact information below.

Everything you need to know about becoming a CIEP host.