Building Programs

Internship Program

Internship Program

Where it began

Launched in 2018 and funded by the Student Work Placement Program, our Internship Program started small, focusing on Atlantic Canada, fostering deep connections through small cohorts and handpicked placements. This foundation allowed us to build a strong reputation, and personal relationships with students, employers, and educational institutions.

In January 2020, VFC expanded the program to Western Canada, significantly increasing cohort sizes from 300-700 participants.

This rapid growth required deep research and relationship-building in new areas of Canada to generate demand, as well as elevated operations and HR to keep hundreds of students and employers organized.

Highlights

2023: at a glance

Innovations

Automations + AI

Today, our Internship Program is a well-oiled machine. We've integrated automations to streamline everything from processing hiring requests to maintaining communication with participants. This efficiency has allowed us to focus more on supporting our students and employers and less on administrative tasks.

Despite this automation, we ensure a personal touch remains; every job description is meticulously reviewed by our staff to confirm its suitability for our students and its potential to develop entrepreneurial skills.

“We wouldn't be where we are today with VFC, they've been a huge supporter of ours since the beginning. We added it up the other day, we've had 41 internships in 4 years!”

Jacqueline Lee

PolyUnity

Entrepreneurial Skill Development

Guided by the top entrepreneurial skills identified in the ENTRECOMP framework, we have developed our own curriculum, emphasizing analytical and problem-solving skills, confidence, task performance, emotional intelligence, and remote working skills.

These skills are taught through asyncornous materials and e-courses, allowing students to learn at their own pace.

“One of our students has been with us for nearly 3 years. It's been a beautiful journey to watch her grow, become more independent and confident in her role with us.”

Allisha Heidt

Chickpeace Zero Waste Refillery

Adapting to Participant Needs

We've found that participants prefer self-paced e-courses over live workshops due to their busy schedules. By experimenting with various resources, tools and tracking engagement metrics, we have continually refined our strategy to meet the evolving needs of each cohort.

This adaptability has been key to our success, ensuring that our training remains relevant and accessible for all.

“Venture for Canada's program is truly commendable and stands out as a shining example of a transformative experience for young professionals. The program's commitment to fostering a holistic learning environment, empowering participants to excel in their chosen fields, and cultivating a strong sense of community is highly admirable.”