Overview

The Ontario Internship Program (OIP) helps recent graduates start and accelerate their careers through a one year-long, paid developmental opportunity that provides practical hands-on experience while delivering important public services to the people of Ontario.

Interns can choose to work in one of the following areas:

  • business and financial planning
  • communications
  • human resources
  • information and information technology
  • labour relations
  • policy development
  • program and service delivery

Apply online

The deadline to submit an application to the 2025 Ontario Internship Program has now passed. Candidates can no longer edit or submit applications. Thank you for your application and your interest in the Ontario Internship Program.

Eligibility requirements

Individuals who have graduated or will graduate with a recognized degree, postgraduate certificate or diploma during the last two years may be eligible to apply. The OIP also offers extended eligibility up to five years, post-graduation, for the following groups:

  • Indigenous
  • bilingual (French/English)
  • persons with disabilities

At the time of an employment offer, candidates must satisfy the following requirements:

  • You have graduated or will complete the requirements to graduate between May 2023 and August 2025 from a recognized or legally authorized college or university with:
    • A degree
    • A diploma
    • A post-graduate certificate which requires a previous degree or diploma
  • You are legally entitled to work in Canada for the duration of your internship
  • You must be living in the province of Ontario during the term of employment
  • You are not currently an OIP intern and have not been an OIP intern in the past

Internships are open to persons with disabilities who have graduated from an eligible post-secondary program in the last five years (May 2020-August 2025). A disability is defined under section 2 of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, (2005).

Internships are open to all Indigenous applicants who have graduated from an eligible post-secondary program in the last five years (May 2020-August 2025). To be eligible, you must be an Indigenous person (i.e. First Nations, Métis, Inuk). Please refer to Section 35(2) of the Canadian Constitution.

Internships are open to all Bilingual French-English applicants who have graduated from an eligible post-secondary program in the last five years (May 2020-August 2025). To be eligible, applicants must be proficient in oral and written French and English (French proficiency level will be confirmed before hire).

A list of recognized schools and programs in Canada can be found on the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials website. If your eligibility is based on a credential obtained outside of Canada, you will need to provide the OIP with an assessment of that credential showing that it is the equivalent of an eligible Canadian credential. If you require an assessment of your credential, the OIP will accept credential assessments from any member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (ACESC). It is your responsibility to provide the OIP with this assessment.

To be eligible for the Ontario Internship Program, your educational credential must be obtained from a recognized or legally authorized post-secondary institution and meet the definitions listed below. If you are unsure if your credential qualifies, please contact your educational institution to determine the type of credential assigned to your program.

Degrees include:

  • Bachelor’s Degree
  • Bachelor’s Degree: Honors
  • Master’s Degree
  • Doctoral Degree

Diplomas include:

  • Ontario College Diploma or the equivalent credential from another jurisdiction
  • Ontario College Advanced Diploma or the equivalent credential from another jurisdiction

Post-Graduate Certificates include:

  • Ontario College Graduate Certificate or the equivalent credential from another jurisdiction

Failure to meet program eligibility requirements, as noted above, will result in disqualification and/or rescinding of a conditional job offer.

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 or permanent residency in Canada or work permit, issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Please ensure that you have a valid Social Insurance Number (SIN) and documents confirming your entitlement to work in Canada prior to the employment offer and for the duration of the internship program.

Before an internship begins, all educational requirements related to the degree, diploma or post-graduate certificate that establishes program eligibility must be completed. Proof of academic credentials will be required before the internship begins.

How to apply

Application submission (December-January)

Applicants are required to complete the standard online application. Only one application per candidate is accepted.

Selection process

Application screening (January – February)

Applications are reviewed and assessed against fixed criteria that reflect the skills and knowledge that are required for each focus area. 
 
Only the highest scoring candidates will be invited to continue in the selection process. Please note if contacted, you must be available to participate in all selection phases for consideration. 
 
Applicants who advance from the screening stage will be asked to demonstrate their knowledge, skills and abilities through a variety of assessments. 

Written test (February)

The mandatory written test is designed to measure skills that are considered essential for success in public service, including analytical reasoning, logical reasoning, organizational awareness and written communication skills.

Written tests are scheduled during the week (Monday-Friday) and will be conducted virtually. No written tests will be conducted on the weekend.

Interviews (March - May)

The interview stage is an opportunity for us to get to know candidates better and allows candidates to showcase their qualifications. Interviews are conducted virtually, and in English.

French language skills will be tested separately for those interns matched to a bilingual (French-English) placement.

Interview acknowledgement (May)

An acknowledgement letter will be sent to candidates that successfully complete the interview stage. This is not a formal job offer and does not guarantee a placement or employment. 
 
To support the OIP in identifying a suitable placement, candidates are required to provide and complete/ provide the following: 

  • OIP Preference Survey
  • a copy of their most current academic transcript
  • a copy of their resume 

Candidates will need to contact their Registrar’s Office to request an official transcript or letter stating that you have completed all requirements to graduate within the eligibility timelines.

Job offers (May - June)

Job offers will be extended to the top candidates in each focus area where there is an appropriate match with their skills and interests. Successful candidates will be notified via job offer of their work placement, including details such as their managers contact information and work location. 

Before an internship can begin, all educational requirements related to the degree, diploma, or post-graduate certificate, confirming program eligibility must be provided. Failure to meet program eligibility requirements will result in disqualification and/or rescinding of a job offer.  

Onboarding process

Placement notification (Summer) 

Successful candidates will be notified of their work placement, manager and location. 

Verification step (Summer)

The verification step ensures successful candidates meet the program eligibility criteria by providing original documents that entitles them to legally work in Canada (i.e.: proof of Canadian citizenship, proof of permanent residency in Canada, or work permit issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). 

Placements begin (August)

Successful candidates will commence their internships on August 25, 2025. An OIP orientation session will be provided.

Focus area information

The OIP recruits candidates in 7 focus areas. Each focus area represents a line of work that is essential to serving the people of Ontario. Each focus area has specific knowledge and skills that you will be required to demonstrate throughout the recruitment process. You are encouraged to select the focus area that matches your skills and interests when you apply to the program. Check out the various focus areas to learn which stream will provide you with the best opportunity to reach your career goals:

Business and financial planning

The business of managing the government’s finances is no small task. The business and fiscal planning professionals of the Ontario Public Service (OPS) make sure the government manages public funds in a way that is accountable, transparent, sustainable, results-oriented and provides value for money.

As a business and financial planning intern you will be part of this team. The Ontario Internship Program (OIP) is seeking talented individuals who understand and thrive in the world of business and finance. In this role, you will provide financial advice and expertise to clients and stakeholders, forecast and monitor business expenditures, and perform expenditure management and analysis. You will also be exposed to government accounting policy development, planning and decision-making processes. You will also have the opportunity to gain valuable training and experience that will assist towards acquiring an accounting or financial designation.

Interns specializing in business and financial planning work on a wide range of innovative and exciting projects, such as assessing financial proposals, evaluating ministry-wide management processes and business practices, and preparing forecasting reports and the annual ministry business plans.

If you have a passion for business and finance, and are ready to accept real challenges and responsibilities, then start and accelerate your career with us.

Knowledge

  • Accounting/Finance: demonstrates knowledge and an understanding of various accounting principles and systems and the ability to analyze and prepare financial statements and reports
  • Business Planning: identify key business objectives and goals for the organization, considering the variety of factors that impact the organization and establishing goals that account for those factors
  • Financial Management/Economics/Business/Commerce: demonstrate knowledge and an understanding of effective planning and management of moneys to meet business goals. This would include:
    • knowledge of long and short range financial planning
    • financial and economic forecasting
    • allocating budgets and targets
    • risk management and performance measurement
    • monitoring, tracking, processing transactions
    • financial controllership and reporting
    • gathering data and performing quantitative, qualitative and statistical analysis
    • ability to interpret and apply standards, policies, procedures and legislation

Skills

  • Analytical: identify trends and relevant themes to support the development of user-focused and evidence-based findings and recommendations
  • Communication: present information using traditional and/or digital media in a clear, concise and accurate manner through effective written, oral and visual communication
  • Collaboration: work with others across the organization to identify and solve a problem or achieve a common goal that is mutually beneficial
  • Client Focused: anticipate and identify client needs to respond and provide better services with a goal of maximizing client satisfaction. Customers and clients may include the public, colleagues, partners, and peers
  • Problem-Solving: recognize, understand and resolve a problem by breaking it apart into smaller pieces, and evaluating options and identifying alternative solutions. This also includes the ability to blend robust analysis with creativity to solve new and changing problems, as well as challenging the status quo where appropriate
  • Research: ascertain relevant questions/concerns about the identified topic and determine the most appropriate method(s) to acquire the knowledge and or information needed to address, as fully and accurately as possible, those questions/concerns
  • Relationship Management: build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, partners and colleagues while demonstrating respect, ethics and extending trust in order to achieve organizational goals
  • Planning and Coordinating: prioritize tasks, manage competing priorities to effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines

What to expect

As a business and financial planning intern your work could include:

  • Learning about public sector accounting, financial management including the annual financial planning process, in-year submissions, internal control and assurance, and the financial reporting and expenditure management processes within ministries
  • Acquiring hands-on experience with the principles of business planning, strategic resource management, risk assessment, financial reporting, accounting and controllership
  • Preparing information that feeds into ministry financial statements and supporting documentation
  • Developing business proposals in support of ministry programs
  • Designing financial and business processes that support the implementation of program initiatives and changing business requirements
  • Identifying and analyzing the financial impacts of new and changing programs
  • Providing assurance and consulting services to add value and improve an organization’s operations
  • Gain valuable training and experience that will assist towards acquiring an accounting or financial designation

Looking ahead

The OIP is an excellent opportunity to start and accelerate your career and expand your financial management and accounting skills with the Ontario Public Service. The knowledge and experience you gain as a business and financial planning intern will lay the foundation of a future career as a specialist in your field. An internship in this area can prepare you for a career as a/an:

  • Financial Analyst/Officer/Project Lead
  • Program Analyst/Consultant
  • Economist
  • Internal Auditor/Controller

Communications

Communications is vital to government. OPS communications specialists develop messages and strategies to publicize key government initiatives. Ministry communications branches advise and support the minister, deputy minister and ministry program areas.

Communications in the OPS involves:

  • Developing targeted strategies to get the public's and media’s attention
  • Planning and coordinating events to support communications strategies
  • Identifying and managing issues
  • Writing and editing communications products like news releases, speeches, briefing notes, fact sheets and newsletters
  • Managing ministry websites and graphic designs

Knowledge

  • Strategic Communications/Integrated Marketing: an understanding of integrated marketing principles and concepts
  • Digital Communications: knowledge of digital communications including social media platforms and an understanding of how different digital channels are used to communicate with audiences

Skills

  • Communication: present information using traditional and/or digital media in a clear, concise and accurate manner through effective written, oral and visual communication
  • Collaboration: work with others across the organization to identify and solve a problem or achieve a common goal that is mutually beneficial
  • Client Focused: anticipate and identify client needs to respond and provide better services with a goal of maximizing client satisfaction. Customers and clients may include the public, colleagues, partners, and peers
  • Problem-Solving: recognize, understand and resolve a problem by breaking it apart into smaller pieces, and evaluating options and identifying alternative solutions. This also includes the ability to blend robust analysis with creativity to solve new and changing problems, as well as challenging the status quo where appropriate
  • Research: ascertain relevant questions/concerns about the identified topic and determine the most appropriate method(s) to acquire the knowledge and or information needed to address, as fully and accurately as possible, those questions/concerns
  • Relationship Management: build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, partners and colleagues while demonstrating respect, ethics and extending trust in order to achieve organizational goals
  • Planning and Coordinating: prioritize tasks, manage competing priorities to effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines

What to expect

As a communications intern, your work could include:

Integrated marketing/ strategic planning
  • Identifying marketing, communications and media opportunities
  • Consulting with stakeholders and managing issues
Media relations and event planning
  • Planning and organizing media and special events
  • Identifying and analyzing media issues
Communications planning and writing
  • Developing and implementing communications strategies and plans
  • Writing and editing supporting communications products like news releases, Q&As, and speeches
  • Writing correspondence
Digital communications
  • Researching, developing and launching digital communications
  • Working on the graphic design of brochures, posters and reports

Looking ahead

This is just the beginning of your career in the Ontario Public Service. An internship is an opportunity to learn and develop your communications skills in the public service. The internship is intended to be the start of a public service career and will prepare and develop you for job opportunities in the Ontario Public Service. An internship in this area can prepare you for a career as a/an:

  • Event Planner
  • Media Relations Specialist
  • Communications Consultant
  • Writer/Editor
  • Web Editor

Human resources

The Ontario Public Service is modernizing its human resources (HR) to deliver services that are strategic, process-smart, integrated, customer-focused and cost-effective. 
HR professionals provide key strategic and operational support to clients in planning for and delivering on business priorities. They also develop and deliver modern enterprise human resource strategies, policies, programs and services that support the OPS as an employer of choice.

Knowledge

  • Human Resource Management: knowledge on the strategic use of people to achieve business goals. The application of HR management principles on an operational level focuses on the day-to-day processes of human resource planning, recruitment and selection, classification, salary, performance management, training and development, and the employer/union relationship
  • Interpretation and application of legislation, collective agreements and policies: includes Ontario labour and employment legislation, multiple collective agreements and a wide range of HR policies, procedures and guidelines related to recruitment, health, safety and wellness, performance management, and learning and development

Skills

  • Analytical: identify trends and relevant themes to support the development of user-focused and evidence-based findings and recommendations
  • Communication: present information using traditional and/or digital media in a clear, concise and accurate manner through effective written, oral and visual communication
  • Collaboration: work with others across the organization to identify and solve a problem or achieve a common goal that is mutually beneficial
  • Client Focused: anticipate and identify client needs to respond and provide better services with a goal of maximizing client satisfaction. Customers and clients may include the public, colleagues, partners, and peers
  • Problem-Solving: recognize, understand and resolve a problem by breaking it apart into smaller pieces, and evaluating options and identifying alternative solutions. This also includes the ability to blend robust analysis with creativity to solve new and changing problems, as well as challenging the status quo where appropriate
  • Relationship Management: build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, partners and colleagues while demonstrating respect, ethics and extending trust in order to achieve organizational goals
  • Planning and Coordinating: prioritize tasks and manage competing priorities to effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines

What to expect

As a human resources intern, your work could include:

Strategic and corporate human resources
  • Analysis of ministry workforce trends, gaps and opportunities to inform strategy development and, to develop and implement change management strategies to support achievement of ministry business objectives, including organizational assessment/diagnostics
  • Develop and deploy employee engagement programs
  • Assist in providing leadership and oversight for setting human resources strategy and policy that supports the government’s commitment to a healthy, inclusive, and anti-racist workplace across the public sector in Ontario
  • Assist in delivering enterprise learning solutions and monitoring organizational learning needs, developing strategies, and providing learning expertise and advice
  • Develop the integration of essential talent programs to optimize sourcing, assessing, diversifying, developing and deploying public service talent
Human resources and talent acquisition services
  • Provide quality service-oriented advice to clients by interpreting and applying appropriate legislation, collective agreements, policies and procedures
  • Assist in providing specialist services to line managers, OPS employees and HR business units in the areas of workforce health and safety, ergonomic education and assessment, workplace safety audits and injury support
  • Assist in providing services relating to the development and implementation of new, pay equity compliant job evaluation systems. Participate in the development, delivery and maintenance of a classification service which ensures consistent application of job evaluation systems for bargaining, non-bargaining and executive groups across the OPS
  • Provide end-to-end talent acquisition services for all positions

Looking ahead

This is just the beginning of your career in the Ontario Public Service. An internship is an opportunity to learn and develop your human resources skills in the public service. An internship in this area can prepare you for a career as a/an:

  • Human Resources Advisor
  • Talent Acquisition Specialist
  • Job Evaluation Specialist
  • Organizational Capacity Consultant
  • Workforce Planning Analyst
  • Health, Safety and Wellness Advisor
  • Learning Consultant

Information and information technology

Our world is rapidly changing, and Ontario is blazing a trail as part of a global movement to transform the way that people interact with government. Technology is a core part of how we deliver high-quality services to Ontarians and how we equip our own organization to solve 21st century challenges.

As an Information & Information Technology (I&IT) intern with the Ontario Internship Program (OIP), you will have the opportunity to be part of a movement to drive innovation and excellence across government using technology. You will get hands-on experience solving real challenges both individually and in project teams.

People are what matter most — and we believe that if we work hard, work smart and work together, we can change government for the better. So, if you are someone who can deliver quick, creative solutions to complex, interesting problems, start your government career with us!

Areas of expertise

Internships are available in 4 key areas:

  • Digital: Transform the way government services are delivered online
  • Application Development: Develop and support applications
  • Business Analysis: Define business problems and propose potential technology solutions
  • Data Analytics: Use data to create insights and inform decision making

Knowledge

  • Digital: Knowledge of user research and testing methodologies, agile methodologies, content design and editing, product design, product management, front-end coding (e.g. HTML 5, CSS3, Javascript), web application development/integration (e.g. APIs), web analytics, journey/empathy mapping, and ability to interpret standards and policy (e.g. accessibility, privacy, security, service design)
  • Application Development: Demonstrated knowledge and ability to design, develop and test applications in a variety of stacks (e.g. J2EE, .NET, LAMP, MEAN), including system architecture and integration. Understands basic activities and deliverables associated with agile project development and application design. Ability to interpret standards and policy (e.g. accessibility, privacy, security)
  • Business Analysis: Ability to understand, synthesize and translate business needs into effective technology solutions. Skills include documenting requirements, researching solutions, conducting feasibility studies, developing project plans and technology roadmaps
  • Data Analytics: Ability to understand, synthesize and communicate using quantitative data to support business decisions. Develop analytical models using Data Science to understand patterns, trend and uncover new insights. Experience with database design, data validation, data quality analysis, data cleansing, anonymization, extraction, transformation, and loading. Awareness of Cloud technology platforms, such as Azure (Azure Data factory, Azure Data Bricks, Azure Machine Learning) and Amazon Web Services. Knowledge of analytics and AI tools and languages (Python, R, Tableau, SQL, Cognos, Google Analytics, Microsoft Power BI, Excel PowerPivot, etc.)

Skills

  • Collaboration: work with others across the organization to identify and solve a problem or achieve a common goal that is mutually beneficial
  • Communication: present information via traditional and digital media in a clear, concise and accurate manner through effective written, oral and visual communication
  • Concern for quality and standards: check and/or monitor work quality and processes, set standards and be accountable for meeting performance measures
  • Client Focused: anticipate and identify client needs to respond and provide better services with a goal of maximizing client satisfaction. Customers and clients may include the public, colleagues, partners, and peers
  • Problem-Solving: recognize, understand and resolve a problem by breaking it apart into smaller pieces, and evaluating options and identifying alternative solutions. This also includes the ability to blend robust analysis with creativity to solve new and changing problems, as well as challenging the status quo where appropriate
  • Relationship Management: build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, partners while colleagues and demonstrating respect, ethics and extending trust in order to achieve organizational goals
  • Planning and Coordinating: prioritize tasks and manage competing priorities to effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines

What to expect

As an I&IT intern you can expect to work with great teams on complex problems. Depending on your area of expertise, you can expect to work on:

Digital
  • Designing simple, user-centric websites and online services
  • Collecting and analyzing data, re-engineering business processes and quantitatively measuring performance
  • Use subject matter expertise to support the development of new government strategies, standards and policies (or updating existing ones) for the digital age
Application development
  • Creating applications, providing both technical (programming) and business (client service) support
  • Applying technical knowledge and project management skills for special assignments
  • Analyzing requirements and designing systems to meet business needs
Business analysis
  • Assisting with the development of IT strategies and business plans which will shape the Ontario Public Service’s (OPS) use of technology now and in the future
  • Researching and demonstrating products and common applications in cooperation with senior staff to find best-fit solutions for clients
  • Environmental scanning/research of industry best practices related to technology uses
Data analytics
  • Evaluating and deriving meaningful information from data using statistical methods and forecasting models
  • Using data to visually communicate program performance, as well as leverage data visualisation to augment policy research and program design methods
  • Conducting business and systems analysis to determine data trends and what they mean
  • Performing data validation, data quality analysis, data cleansing, anonymization, extraction, transformation and loading

Looking ahead

This is just the beginning of your career in the Ontario Public Service. Here are just a few examples of government jobs that flow from the OIP Information & Information Technology stream:

  • Application Developer
  • Business Analyst
  • Business Performance Specialist
  • Data Analyst/Scientist
  • Data Architect
  • Digital Advisor
  • Front-end Developer
  • Information Architect
  • Product Manager
  • Project Coordinator
  • Systems Analyst
  • Systems Developer
  • Technical Architect
  • User Experience Specialist

Labour relations

Effective labour relations are critical to the OPS, a diverse working environment comprised of about 65,000 employees in more than 25 ministries and agencies. In a workforce that is over 85 per cent unionized, labour relations professionals represent the employer in ongoing interactions with employees and union representatives. A labour relations career in the OPS involves:

  • Representing the employer in collective bargaining
  • Representing the employer at conciliations, mediation, arbitration and other quasi-judicial panels
  • Working cooperatively with each of the OPS’s bargaining agents including Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), Association of Management, Administrative & Professional Crown Employees of Ontario (AMAPCEO), Professional Engineers Government of Ontario (PEGO) Association of Law Officers of the Crown/Ontario Crown Attorneys Association (ALOC/OCAA), the Ontario Provincial Police Association (OPPA) and the Association of Physicians and Dentists in the Public Service (AOPDPS)
  • Interpreting provisions of the collective agreements, employment policies and employment legislation such as the Public Service of Ontario Act, the Crown Employees Collective Bargaining Act, the Employment Standards Act, and the Human Rights Code
  • Working with management, employees, and union representation on grievance administration
  • Providing labour relations advice to ministries on policy and corporate matters such as appropriate disclosures, restructuring and divestment
  • Developing critical techniques and strategies to build and maintain effective labour relations.

Please note the majority of Labour Relations assignments are within the Greater Toronto Area with some assignments in Peterborough and Oshawa.

Knowledge

  • Awareness of legislative framework and ability to interpret and apply legislation, collective agreements and policies: including Ontario labour and employment legislation, multiple collective agreements and a wide range of HR policies, procedures and guidelines related to recruitment, health, safety and wellness, performance management, and learning and development
  • Industrial/Labour Relations: knowledge of the relationship between unions and management, unions themselves, management, government, unions and government, or between employers and non-represented employees. Knowledge includes an understanding of a range of subjects including employment law, collective bargaining, workplace diversity, human resources management and the application of conflict resolutions techniques to resolve workplace issues
  • Mediation: intervention to settle disagreements or disputes. It requires maintaining open communication and ensuring the interests of all parties are heard

Skills

  • Collaboration: work with others across the organization to identify and solve a problem or achieve a common goal that is mutually beneficial
  • Communication: present information using traditional and/or digital media in a clear, concise and accurate manner through effective written, oral and visual communication
  • Conflict Resolution: help employees, managers, human resource professionals and bargaining agents work towards joint problem-solving
  • Client Focused: anticipate and identify client needs to respond and provide better services with a goal of maximizing client satisfaction. Customers and clients may include the public, colleagues, partners, and peers
  • Problem-Solving: recognize, understand and resolve a problem by breaking it apart into smaller pieces, and evaluating options and identifying alternative solutions. This also includes the ability to blend robust analysis with creativity to solve new and changing problems, as well as challenging the status quo where appropriate
  • Professional Judgement: draw on one’s own experience, knowledge and expertise to demonstrate good judgement and relate professional knowledge (technical, theoretical and/or experiential) to specific problems
  • Relationship Management: build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, partners and colleagues while demonstrating respect, ethics and extending trust in order to achieve organizational goals
  • Research and Analytical: develop options, make recommendations, and provide advice to managers and human resources professionals on grievance management, collective agreement entitlements, and OPS policies, practices, and procedures
  • Planning and Coordinating: prioritize tasks and manage competing priorities to effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines

What to expect

As a Labour Relations intern, your work could include:

Managing conflicts and issues
  • Gain practical expertise in conflict resolution and client service skills
  • Prepare options and proposals for the resolution of disputed issues and grievances
  • Prepare and present research that reflects an understanding of relevant case law and/or legislation and how it relates to or affects current issues.
Mediating and negotiating
  • Work on grievance administration, negotiations and labour relations research
  • Prepare and assist in the presentation of cases before the Grievance Settlement Board and other resolution forums
  • Participate in the negotiation of collective agreements
Consulting and advising clients
  • Investigate complaints and provide collective agreement interpretations/advice to HR professionals and managers
  • Assist with the development of interpretive bulletins and practical guides on human resources and labour relations in the OPS
Training and development
  • Assist in the development and delivery of labour relations training programs to ministries.

Looking ahead

This is just the beginning of your career in the Ontario Public Service. An internship is an opportunity to learn and develop your labour relations skills along with your communications, research and consulting skills in the public service. It is intended to be the start of a public service career and will prepare and develop you for job opportunities in the Ontario Public Service. An internship in this area can prepare you for a career in several areas, among them:

  • Employee Relations Advisor
  • Corporate Staff Relations Officer
  • Mediator/Arbitrator
  • Operations Manager

Policy development

In the OPS, a public policy professional is accountable for providing impartial advice to the government regarding the development, implementation and evaluation of public policy. In order to fulfil this function, policy professionals engage in a range of activities, including research and analysis, policy development, stakeholder engagement, legislative and regulatory drafting, program design, and program evaluation.

Policy interns may participate in and support projects that contribute to a number of government priorities, such as:

  • Ensuring sustainable and quality standards of education/health/social service delivery
  • Protecting Ontario’s natural resources and the environment
  • Promoting provincial and international economic growth
  • Supporting strong public infrastructure development in partnership with Ontario’s communities
  • Developing positive and alternative approaches to our criminal justice system for a safe and secure Ontario

Knowledge

  • Policy Development: knowledge of the formulation of public policy and the process of making important organizational decisions that could have future impacts or consequences throughout the implementation or operationalization stages
  • Policy Principles: knowledge of policy development theory and practices to be able to interpret and apply relevant legislation, regulations and government approval processes. Knowledge in policy research principles, methods and techniques to conduct research projects/studies, surveys, trends analyses, and environmental scans, and assess impacts of legislation/policies
  • Policy Evaluation: knowledge of analysis/evaluation techniques to develop performance criteria to assess the effectiveness of new/changed policies and programs; and to develop recommendations for policy and program change

Skills

  • Analytical: identify trends and relevant themes to support the development of user-focused and evidence-based policy
  • Collaboration: work with others across the organization to identify and solve a problem or achieve a common goal that is mutually beneficial
  • Communication: present information using traditional and/or digital media in a clear, concise and accurate manner through effective written, oral and visual communication
  • Client Focused: anticipate and identify client needs to respond and provide better services with a goal of maximizing client satisfaction. Customers and clients may include the public, colleagues, partners, and peers
  • Problem-Solving: recognize, understand and resolve a problem by breaking it apart into smaller pieces, and evaluating options and identifying alternative solutions. This also includes the ability to blend robust analysis with creativity to solve new and changing problems, as well as challenging the status quo where appropriate
  • Relationship Management: build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, partners and colleagues while demonstrating respect, ethics and extending trust in order to achieve organizational goals
  • Research: use appropriate research tools and analytical methodologies to identify and analyze credible sources of information for the purposes of making evidence-based policy recommendations
  • Planning and Coordinating: prioritize tasks and, manage competing priorities to effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines

What to expect

As a policy intern, your work may include activities that enable you to:

  • Gain knowledge of the government decision-making process and understand the role of policy development processes towards achieving government’s key priorities
  • Understand and participate in policy and planning development projects by researching, analysing and assisting with the preparation of options and proposals, consulting on approaches, assessing the impact on stakeholders and assisting with communication and implementation plans
  • Conduct research and environmental scans to remain apprised of issues/developments in other ministries and jurisdictions with potential impact on the work of the section/branch/division/ministry, and preparing briefs/briefings for senior advisor/manager

Looking ahead

This is just the beginning of your career in the Ontario Public Service. An internship is an opportunity to learn and develop your policy development skills in the public service. It is intended to prepare and develop you for various roles in the OPS. An internship in this area can prepare you for a career as a:

  • Policy/Program/Project Advisor
  • Policy/Program/Project Analyst
  • Policy/Program/Project Consultant

Program and service delivery

The Ontario Public Service (OPS) is committed to service excellence in the delivery of all of its programs. The OPS strives to meet the needs of citizens in a cost-effective and efficient manner. In fact, Ontario is recognized both nationally and internationally for innovation in program and service delivery. With a vast range of program and service offerings across the province, the OPS continuously improves on the delivery of our programs and services for all Ontarians.

As a program and service delivery intern, you will have the opportunity to be part of a team focused on delivering better programs and quality services. Your work may include reviewing programs, researching service delivery models, analyzing current service delivery processes and recommending improvements, assisting in consulting program stakeholders on program improvements and supporting plans to ensure quality services and customer satisfaction.

Assignments will be located in regional and operational offices and will be especially appealing to those interested in applying a well-rounded approach to the development and implementation of program and service delivery initiatives in the OPS.

Program and Service Delivery applicants should pay particular attention to which ministries and offices are located in their preferred work location as this is a key consideration when matching successful applicants to their placements and will also determine the nature of work in the placement. Visit Info-Go to browse information on Government of Ontario offices by location. To search by city, click on the "Offices" tab and use the name of the city as the keyword.

Knowledge

  • Business-Planning: identify key business objectives and goals for the organization, considering the variety of factors that impact the organization and establishing goals that account for those factors
  • Project Implementation: understand and apply project planning frameworks, tools and best practices that support successful outcomes/performance optimization
  • Evaluation: determine the effectiveness of a service or program based on existing practices, systems, and/or policies
  • Process Improvement: identify and implement changes in work processes that can be expected to produce measurable enhancements

Skills

  • Analytical: identify trends and relevant themes to support the development of user-focused and evidence-based findings and recommendations
  • Collaboration: work with others across the organization to identify and solve a problem or achieve a common goal that is mutually beneficial
  • Communication: present information using traditional and/or digital media in a clear, concise and accurate manner through effective written, oral and visual communication
  • Client Focused: anticipate and identify client needs to respond and provide better services with a goal of maximizing client satisfaction. Customers and clients may include the public, colleagues, partners, and peers
  • Problem-Solving: recognize, understand and resolve a problem by breaking it apart into smaller pieces, and evaluating options and identifying alternative solutions. This also includes the ability to blend robust analysis with creativity to solve new and changing problems, as well as challenging the status quo where appropriate
  • Relationship Management: build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, partners and colleagues while demonstrating respect, ethics and extending trust in order to achieve organizational goals
  • Research: ascertain relevant questions/concerns about the identified topic and determine the most appropriate method(s) to acquire the knowledge and or information needed to address, as fully and accurately as possible, those questions/concerns
  • Planning and Coordinating: prioritize tasks and manage competing priorities to effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines.

What to expect

As a program and service delivery intern, your work could include:

  • Participating in development of standards, processes, methods, benchmark techniques and performance measures to ensure the efficient delivery of programs and services to stakeholders
  • Assisting in processes, risk assessments and program evaluation to develop options for program improvements
  • Reviewing the quality and accessibility of publicly-available program information and recommending improvements
  • Working in a team-based environment on project-planning and implementation activities related to research, needs assessments and service delivery
  • Conducting research and analysis, developing recommendations, preparing papers/reports to improve programs and their efficiency
  • Consulting stakeholders, such as program managers, ministry staff and/or other jurisdictions, to discuss how program and service functions, business practices and related processes can be improved while maintaining ongoing business relationships
  • Analyzing how well programs and services meet established operational goals and service standards
  • Assessing the impact of new or revised operational policies, systems, and procedures on program and service delivery using customer satisfaction surveys and process reviews
  • Preparing briefing materials, planning documents and reports to support ongoing programs and services

Looking ahead

This is just the beginning of your career in the Ontario Public Service. An internship in this area can prepare you for a career as a/an:

  • Program/Project Advisor
  • Program/Project Analyst
  • Program/Project Consultant