Black Youth Internship Program

Objectives | Partners | Program Description | Partnerships

The Black Youth Internship Program was modeled after the Aboriginal Youth Internship Program and began in 1999. The goal is to provide a positive experience, encourage students to stay in school and build their self esteem as well as allowing them to explore various careers.

Objectives

• To provide high school student of African/Caribbean origin with the opportunity to explore careers in the government, financial and business sectors.
• To encourage students to stay in school.
• To help students gain confidence and self-respect.
• To provide businesses with a rewarding experience through their involvement in the internship program.

Partners

• Black Educators Association of Manitoba (BEAM)
• Manitoba High Schools
• Manitoba Employers
• Manitoba Children and Youth Opportunities

Program Description

Each partner has a distinct role to play. The schools advertise the program to their students and recommend suitable candidates. BEAN provides resources, delivers cultural awareness workshops and provides ongoing support to the students. The participating business provides a meaningful work experience that leads to a summer job. Manitoba Children and Youth Opportunities provides funds for program activities which include an orientation, workshops and graduation ceremony.

The student interns work one afternoon a week for a specified number of weeks. They are expected to keep up their attendance at work and school, maintain good grades and conduct themselves in a professional manner. Students who successfully complete the program may be offered summer employment by their host business. Employers who offer their interns summer employment may qualify for a wage subsidy.

Partnerships

Student's Role:

• Maintain attendance at work and school
• Maintain academic performance
• Develop a good work ethic
• Attend an participate in workshops
• Become a positive role model for their peers and in the workplace

Employer's Role:

• Attend program orientation
• Conduct interviews and select candidates
• Provide training, supervision and mentoring
• Attend internship graduation
• Offer successful students a summer job

School's Role:

• Advertise the program
• Provide input on student candidates
• Support student participants
• Attend the internship graduation

Cultural Organization's Role:

• Support student participation
• Provide workshops and resource people
• Coordinate the graduation

Manitoba Children and Youth Opportunities' Role:

• Funds partnership organization

For more information on the Internship Program contact:

John Jack, President
Black Educators Association of Manitoba (BEAM)
P.O. Box 1131
Winnipeg, MB R3C 2Y4
204-275-0870
jjack@shaw.ca

or

Greg Kristalovich
Program Manager, STEP Services
204-945-3755
gregory.kristalovich@gov.mb.ca

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