Export Intern Program for NS Businesses and Trade Graduates

For Nova Scotia Businesses (Students and Graduates – please scroll down to the next section)

The purpose of the project is to assist graduates to attain work experience and connect them to the Nova Scotia labour market while increasing Nova Scotian companies’ export capacity.

The Export Internship for Trade Graduates program provides a concrete link between recent graduates and Nova Scotian employers. The program is administered by EduNova, a co-operative of education institutions, and funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

The program will assist seven Nova Scotian companies to engage recent trade graduates for one-year work placements, that will advance export sales, initiatives, and strategies in new markets. These graduates will have studied in disciplines related to international trade. The program will assist these graduates in securing their first job in their field of study and will afford them the hands-on work experience necessary to launch a career in Nova Scotia. Simultaneously, embedding these graduates in Nova Scotian companies will increase the companies’ export success through augmenting the companies’ capacity to conduct research, formulate new strategies and execute plans for company export growth.

This project aligns with the Atlantic Growth Strategy goals of retaining more skilled talent in our region, connecting this talent to local businesses and increasing our region’s global competitiveness. The cohort of graduates is expected to begin employment under the program April-May 2023.

Deadline for employers to apply for the program is January 20, 2023. 

Funding Support

The Export Internship Program provides funding to selected exporters to offset the cost of employing a recent graduate, full time, for one year. A participating company will cover the costs associated with the graduate’s yearly gross salary of $40,000 per annum, plus mandatory employment-related expenses (ex. CPP, EI, Vacation Pay). ACOA, through EduNova, will reimburse the company $30,000. A participation fee of $1000 + HST is due with your submission of the registration form.

A participating company’s total investment in the 12-month program is $10,000 plus MERC towards the graduate’s yearly salary and the registration fees. The employer may offer a higher wage than $40,000/year; however, ACOA’s maximum contribution will remain at $30,000.

Nova Scotia Business Eligibility

The Export Internship for Trade Graduates program provides a tangible link between recent graduates and Nova Scotian employers. The program will assist seven graduates who have studied in disciplines related to international trade to secure their first job in their field of study and will afford these graduates the hands-on work experience necessary to launch a career in Nova Scotia.

Simultaneously, embedding these graduates in Nova Scotian companies will increase the companies’ export success. This project aligns with the Atlantic Growth Strategy goals of retaining more skilled talent in our region, connecting this talent to local businesses and increasing our region’s global competitiveness.

Ideal businesses for the program would be those at the growth stage, non-startup companies, have the financial capacity, potential for scale, and a potential for continued employment.

And, provide an environment that would be a positive work and learning experience.

Services

  • An in-depth trade interview with an expert export company mapping your export strategies for implementation by the trade graduate.
  • A one-year graduate placement to assist the company in accessing and developing new markets or other export readiness activities.
  • Diversity in the workplace
  • Mentorship opportunities
  • New perspectives
  • Positive publicity
  • Develop a talent pipeline

Business registration form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=rBg9Jx6m4EC8f6C7_Sp-fxb8T4A4e-dFt89hOMc2AatUN0lSMTFKQzRZUzFGU1I2UTQ3SVJFVEFRSS4u

Students and Graduates

The Export Internship for Trade Graduates program provides a concrete link between recent graduates and Nova Scotian employers. The program is administered by EduNova, a co-operative of education institutions, and funded by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

The program will assist seven Nova Scotian companies to engage recent trade graduates for one-year work placements, that will advance export sales, initiatives, and strategies in new markets. These graduates will have studied in disciplines related to international trade. The program will assist these graduates in securing their first job in their field of study and will afford them the hands-on work experience necessary to launch a career in Nova Scotia. Simultaneously, embedding these graduates in Nova Scotian companies will increase the companies’ export success through augmenting the companies’ capacity to conduct research, formulate new strategies and execute plans for company export growth.

This project aligns with the Atlantic Growth Strategy goals of retaining more skilled talent in our region, connecting this talent to local businesses and increasing our region’s global competitiveness. The cohort of graduates is expected to begin employment under the program April-May 2023.

Graduate Eligibility:

  • Recent graduates from a Nova Scotia university or the NSCC who have completed studies in trade and/or international business will receive priority consideration for one of seven work placements.
  • Students who graduated from outside of Nova Scotia may also be eligible to participate if they have a clear goal of relocating to Nova Scotia for employment. Special consideration will be given to students who have completed formal training in the area of international trade. To be eligible, students must have graduated within 18 months of their application date to the Export Internship Program. Both domestic and international students are eligible for the program and must indicate their interest in remaining in Nova Scotia post-graduation through the application process. Students will be selected based on the best fit with participating companies. International student graduates must have applied for their post-graduate work permit before they can participate in this program.​​​​​​​

Value:

  • One-year paid work placement at a minimum of 40,000/year
  • Direct implementation of an export strategy with real-time learning
  • Mentorship
  • Able to apply elements of academic learning in the workplace with a company’s vision
  • Develops your skills further in many areas, including time management, business communication, project work, & working in a team.
  • Placements are determined by acceptance into the program and a pitch competition to Nova Scotian companies
  • Graduates must be engaged and excited to help launch the companies they are matched with in implementing their export goals.
  • Full time position, 40/week

Student/Graduate registration form: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=rBg9Jx6m4EC8f6C7_Sp-f2BBsjdqI5pPhj5NGIS3jI5UOEdSVTgzRDBWUEY1UjdUVElJUzVXSkNFVS4u

Deadline for employers to apply for the program is February 3, 2023.