Friday August 28, 2020 ~ NATIONAL
by Mary P Brooke, B.Sc., Editor | Island Social Trends
The federal government has combined their green and climate change policy direction with supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) educational goals across Canada.
Calling students leaders in the fight against climate change, toady the fedral government says youth are “working in their communities to reduce emissions and build a cleaner, more prosperous future”.
The Government of Canada says it is committed to supporting students as they develop new skills to support the growth of the clean economy as Canada builds back better from COVID-19.
To support those initiatives, today the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson announced that the Government of Canada is partnering with STEM employers across Canada to create 900 internship opportunities for students through the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program.
Supporting STEM post-secondary graduates:
Science Horizons supports jobs in clean-technology sectors by offering internships to recent post-secondary graduates in STEM. The program includes specific opportunities for Indigenous graduates, graduates from rural and remote areas, and women in STEM fields. Science Horizons is now open for 2020–21 applications.
Up to $15,000 in Science Horizons funding is available to employers for each intern they hire, and interns will receive experience working on environmental projects lasting six to twelve months. About 90 percent of interns secure a full-time job or return to school after their internship.
Announcement made in Vancouver:
The announcement was made at Terramera, a Vancouver-based clean-technology company specializing in sustainable agricultural practices. The Minister was joined by Ajay Patel, President and CEO of Vancouver Community College; Karn Manhas, Terramera founder and CEO; and Melody Sizer, a former Science Horizons intern, now full-time Terramera employee.
The Government of Canada will continue to bring forward initiatives that help protect the environment, fight climate change, and create jobs for Canadians as our economy continues to safely restart from COVID-19.