Canada Summer Jobs funds 180 co-op opportunities for Sheridan students

At three virtual events earlier this week, funds were officially announced by Minister Anita Anand, Minister Omar Alghabra and MP Sonia Sidhu for Sheridan from the Canada Summer Jobs program. Across its Brampton, Mississauga and Oakville campuses, Sheridan received funding for a total of 180 spots for students to complete paid co-op placements that fulfil their program requirements. 

The funded positions will be part of Sheridan’s unique Virtual Internship Program (VIP) – Innovation Accelerator stream. The VIP was launched in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and barriers faced by students looking to access work-integrated learning opportunities to complete mandatory academic requirements. Degree students are paired with community collaborators to focus on pandemic-related challenges using human-centred design. 

This summer, students will be working with eight collaborators throughout the Greater Toronto Area: Abilities to Work, Black Mentorship Inc., Canadian Council on Africa, Canadian Film Fest, Covenant House Toronto, Food For Life, HummingbirdHill Homes and Links2Care. 

The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and MP for Oakville, says: “Our plan for a strong economic recovery includes youth and recognizes their important role in our future. We will always be there to support the next generation. I look forward to seeing the remarkable work Sheridan College and their Canada Summer Jobs students will do again this summer."  

“I welcome the news that Sheridan College will be hiring students, helping equip our young leaders to participate in our thriving economy, both today and tomorrow,” says the Honourable Omar Alghabra, Minister of Transport and MP for Mississauga Centre. MP Sonia Sidhu, Brampton South, adds: “The Canada Summer Job positions here at Sheridan College will not only provide quality work experiences for young Canadians but will also improve access to the labour market for those who face unique barriers and will allow youth to develop and improve their skills.” 

Graham Hill, Food for Life’s Executive Director, and a repeat community collaborator was also on hand at the announcement, touting the positive experience his organization had as an inaugural participant. “We’re really excited to see what comes out of this year’s accelerator,” says Hill. “In addition to the skills and ideas Sheridan students bring to the table, there’s a lasting impact from the experience, as many continue on with Food for Life as volunteers.” 

Abilities to Work Executive Director, Kevin Wilson, spoke to the high value Sheridan brings to the community and of its graduates. “This virtual internship will present students with an opportunity to address a genuine communications challenge that we are experiencing in reaching almost 200,000 businesses in Peel.” 

Lisa Brading, Chief Executive Officer at Links2Care and a Sheridan alumna, participated in the announcement and spoke about her organization’s enthusiasm as a community collaborator in the Innovation Accelerator. “Links2Care is proud to provide students with an opportunity to build their problem-solving skills, creativity and confidence,” she says. “The challenge we’re putting forward to students will benefit from a fresh set of eyes and young minds to form new, innovative solutions.” 

Learn more about Sheridan’s Innovation Accelerator program.  

Pictured: Sheridan, community collaborator and government delegates at the three announcements for Canada Summer Jobs.