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The Co-operative Career Internship Program Underway!

1 Mar 2010

After a flurry of activity in the weeks preceding Christmas, BCCA launched the Co-operative Career Intern Program with placements of seven young interns. This is a new program that is offered exclusively to BCCA members and in this, our first year, the program is off to a strong start. A two-day orientation session was held on Jan. 28th and 29th for all our new interns to prepare them for their placements within their host organizations and topics included Goal Setting, Types of Co-op Models, The Economics of Co-ops, and The History and Philosophy of Co-ops. The orientation session also included guest speakers, workshops, a co-op tour, as well as a chance for interns to network and get to know one another. Both the facilitators and participants provided staff with very positive feedback  - not to mention that the session was an all-around fun time!

The intern placements started successfully on Feb. 1st, 2010 and will run until June 25th, 2010. The host organizations, all members of BCCA, represent a wide range of co-op models from around BC. From credit unions to consulting firms, all offer a unique opportunity to post-secondary educated youth to experience our thriving co-operative sector here in BC. In return, the host organizations receive financial support from Service Canada, as well as smart, enthusiastic young interns to contribute to their organizations. This year's host organizations are:

  • Co-op Housing Federation of BC
  • Envision Financial
  • Sustainability Solutions Group
  • The Co-operators
  • United Community Services Co-op
  • Vancity

BCCA is very pleased to be able to support our member organizations through this program, while contributing to the education of BC youth about co-operatives and credit unions and their unique role in British Columbia. Although this is our first offering of the Co-operative Career Internship Program, we feel confident this is the beginning of something great that will only grow with time.

Tehya Mackenzie
Youth Intern Co-ordinator

Category: Community