Applications for the Ontario Internship Program (OIP) are open! Learn how to apply.

Overview

The Ontario Internship Program (OIP) helps recent graduates start and accelerate their careers through a full-time, one-year paid developmental opportunity that provides practical hands-on experience while delivering important public services to the people of Ontario. The current OIP intern salary is $57,085 plus 14% benefits. Internship placements are available across the province in various ministries and agencies.

To find out if you’re eligible to apply, review the program eligibility requirements.

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

Focus area information

Each focus area is an important part of serving the people of Ontario. Every area needs specific knowledge and skills that are assessed during the hiring process. Choose the focus area that matches your interests and strengths to support your career goals.

Core skills needed for all focus areas:

  • analytical thinking
  • oral and written communication
  • conflict resolution
  • collaboration
  • problem-solving
  • planning and coordinating
  • research
  • relationship management
  • service excellence

Explore each focus area to understand the skills required and explore possible career paths.

Business and financial planning

As a business and financial planning intern, you will learn about how to gain work experience in public sector financial management, including:

  • budgeting
  • reporting
  • business planning

You will help the ministry by:

  • preparing financial documents
  • looking at how programs affect spending
  • helping design better ways to work

What you should know

  • Accounting or finance: know how to analyze and prepare financial reports. Understand basic accounting principles and systems.
  • Business planning: identify key business objectives and goals for the organization. Think about what affects those goals and how to reach them.
  • Financial management, economics, business or commerce: understand how to plan and manage money to meet business goals. 

Future jobs you could have

  • Controllership and Risk Management Analyst or Advisor
  • Business Fiscal Planning Analyst or Advisor 

Communications

As a communications intern, you’ll help share important messages with the public and people inside government. You’ll learn how to:

  • support and develop communication strategies
  • manage events and respond to issues
  • write content like news releases and speeches
  • support ministry websites and design

What you should know

  • Planning and writing: manage correspondence, events and support internal communications using clear, simple language.
  • Digital communications: write user-focused digital content for the web. Research, develop and launch social media strategy and content.
  • Issues management and media relations: identify, analyze and advise quickly on media issues and managing media relations and events to promote the ministry.
  • Strategic communications: find ways to share ministry messages with the public. Help plan and support communications across different teams.

 Future jobs you could have  

  • Correspondence Advisor
  • Issues and Media Advisor
  • Communications Coordinator

Human resources

As a human resource intern, you’ll learn how the government supports its employees. You’ll get experience in:

  • planning for future needs
  • helping employees feel engaged and supported
  • hiring new talent
  • improve how teams work together

You’ll also learn about:

  • health and safety at work
  • how jobs are evaluated
  • creating fair and inclusive workplace practices

What you should know

  • Human resource management: assist with everyday tasks like planning for staff, hiring, setting job levels and pay, helping employees grow and working with labour relations. You’ll also explore fairness, safety, respect and how to make sure everyone feels included at work.
  • Legislation, collective agreements and policies: interpret and apply Ontario’s labour laws, union agreements and HR policies. You’ll focus on areas like hiring, health and safety, wellness, performance and employee training.

Future jobs you could have

  • Human Resources Advisor
  • Talent Acquisition Specialist
  • Strategic Business Advisor

Information and information technology

As an intern in information and information technology (I&IT), you’ll help make public services better. You’ll work on real projects and learn how to:

  • build systems
  • plan smart ways to solve problems
  • design tools that are easy for people to use
  • use data to make good decisions

What you should know

  • Digital:  know how to do user research, work in agile teams, design content and product, write front-end code, integrate websites, use analytics and understand standards related to accessibility, privacy and service design
  • Application development: understand how to design, build and test applications using different technologies. You should also know agile methods and standards related to accessibility, privacy and security.
  • Business analysis: understand business needs and turn them into effective technology solutions. Be able to write requirements, research solutions, conduct feasibility studies, develop project plans and technology roadmaps.
  • Data analytics:  use data science and analytics to support business decisions. You should be familiar with tools like Python, R, SQL and Power BI and understand how to clean and organize data using cloud platforms like Azure and AWS.

Future jobs you could have

  • Software Developer
  • Business Analyst
  • Data Analyst

Labour relations

As a labour relations intern, you’ll learn how to solve problems between employees and employers. You’ll help with:

  • resolving conflicts
  • handling complaints (grievances)
  • supporting contract talks (collective bargaining)
  • giving advice on labour rules and policies

You’ll also help with training, research, and client services to build and maintain strong, fair relations in the public sector.

What you should know

  • Legislative framework and collective agreements or policies: be familiar with Ontario’s labour and employment laws. Understand how to apply collective agreements, HR policies and procedures for hiring, safety, performance and employee growth.
  • Industrial and labour relations: understand how workers and employers work together. Know about employment law, collective bargaining, workplace diversity and conflict resolution. Be aware of the roles of unions, management and government in the workplace.
  • Mediation: know how to help settle disagreements or disputes. It requires maintaining open communication and ensuring the interests of all parties are heard.

 Future jobs you could have

  • Employee Relations Advisor
  • Corporate Staff Relations Officer
  • Mediator or Arbitrator

Policy development

As a policy intern, you’ll help the government make decisions. You’ll do research, analyze issues and support planning and policy work.

You’ll also:

  • help prepare proposals
  • assess stakeholder impacts
  • stay up to date on what’s happening in other ministries and jurisdictions

What you should know

  • Policy development: understand how public policies are created and how important decisions are made within an organizational. Know how these decisions can affect how things are done in the future.
  • Policy principles:  be familiar with employment law, collective bargaining, workplace diversity and conflict resolution techniques.  Know the roles of unions, management and government in the workplace.
  • Policy evaluation: know how to measure if a policy or program is working well and develop recommendation based on what you find.

Future jobs you could have

  • Policy Advisor
  • Program Analyst
  • Program Consultant

Program and service delivery

As a program and service delivery intern, you’ll help improve public programs. You’ll do research, study how programs are working, assess risks and consult stakeholders.

You’ll also help:

  • plan and launch new programs
  • make sure services are high-quality programs and services.

What you should know

  • Business planning: identify key business objectives and goals for the organization. Think about what might affect those goals and plan for them.
  • Project Implementation: know how to use planning tools and best practices to help projects succeed and perform better.
  • Evaluation: determine how effective a service or program is by looking at existing practices, systems and policies.
  • Process Improvement: identify and implement changes to work processes that lead to clear and measurable improvements.

Future jobs you could have

  • Program or Project Advisor
  • Program or Project Analyst
  • Program or Project Consultant

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