PILOT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM BENEFITS BUSINESSES
SMALL BUSINESS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
In 2020, Northern Development piloted the Business Development Internship program alongside the well-established Local Government and First Nations Government Internship programs. Combined, the three programs led to the creation of 15 12-month positions for recent post-secondary graduates in Northern B.C. The internship programs increase capacity for host organizations and contributes to a stronger economy.
First Nations Government Internship Business Development Internship
2020 was the fourth year of the First Nations Government Internship benefiting First Nations in central and northern B.C. The program is a partnership between Northern Development and the Department of Indigenous Services Canada.
The pilot internship program provided grant funding to three Community Futures Development Corporations within the Trust’s service region to assist with the costs of hosting a business intern for a 12-month period.
Photo: Northern Development
Host First Nation governments:
Host Community Futures are located in: • Ashcroft • Houston • Prince Rupert
• • • •
“Through these internships the next generation of business developers will get hands-on experience working with entrepreneurs and community leaders,” said John Farrell, general manager, Community Futures Pacific Northwest. “This is an exciting time for Prince Rupert as we reinvent ourselves as Canada’s next great port city and this partnership with NDIT to provide added capacity could not have come at a better time.”
Lytton First Nation McLeod Lake Indian Band Takla Nation (hosted two interns) Williams Lake First Nation
Dylan Sellars
“The highlights of my internship have been the breadth of opportunities that the band has provided me,” said Dylan Sellars, First Nations Government Intern, Williams Lake First Nation. “I would advise anyone that is thinking of joining this program to pursue it because of the opportunity to learn from knowledgeable mentors and building a network of like-minded professionals that are able to assist you now and in the future.”
Local Government Internship The Local Government Internship program introduced seven recent post-secondary graduates to the realm of local government in Northern B.C. in 2020. The program enhances the capacity of host governments providing benefits to the intern, government and community.
Host local governments: • • • • • • •
City of Williams Lake District of Fort St. James North Coast Regional District Northern Rockies Regional Municipality Regional District of Bulkley-Nechako Village of Ashcroft Village of Telkwa
Photo: Ethan Fredeen
Ethan Fredeen
“My participation with the Local Government Internship has made the shift from being a student to working professional a seamless transition,” said Ethan Fredeen, Local Government Intern, District of Fort St. James. “I have had the opportunity through my mentor to participate in a wide array of projects that fall under the scope of land use planning and policy analysis.”
Northern Development Initiative Trust – 2020 Annual Report
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