Apprenticeships, fellowships, co-ops and internships: the differences and how we can help

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship program is a mix of hands-on training, work experience and technical learning in a trade. You'll spend 80% of your time learning on the job from an experienced tradesperson. See below for more information and opportunities for apprenticeships.

If you’re thinking about doing a trade, every province and territory has apprenticeship programs that you can apply to. When you decide which trade you want to pursue, you’ll find plenty of support for skilled trades and apprenticeship training. You can also search for available apprenticeship positions across Canada.

Learn about the Canada Apprentice Loan Basics and see what you might qualify for.

If you’re Indigenous, you can apply to the IT Apprenticeship Program for Indigenous Peoples.

Fellowships

A fellowship is a funded opportunity that could last from a few weeks to a few years. Fellows receive help with professional, academic, or personal growth and are sponsored by associations, organizations, institutions, or the government. Fellowships include grants, scholarships, and other funding options.

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada has many fellowship programs that you can apply to, whether you’re an undergraduate student, postgraduate, or postdoctoral student.

You can also apply to the Banting Postdoctoral Fellowship if you are interested in health, natural sciences, engineering, social sciences and/or humanities research.

Apply to the Canadian Science Policy Fellowship if you are in a PhD of any discipline and you want to work in a government office where you’ll apply your academic training, critical thinking, analytical skills, and more.

Co-Ops

A high school or post-secondary co-op is where you can pursue a work placement in a field of interest. You can use your classroom knowledge in the workplace and earn school credits through work experience. You will also be able to try different career options, gain valuable work experience, connect with employers, learn practical skills and build your resume for college and/or university applications.

If you’re interested in an opportunity with your high school, contact your guidance counsellor. If you’re interested in an opportunity with your post-secondary institution, contact your school for more information.

Internships

Internships are like co-ops: they are designed for individuals to gain knowledge and experience and to meet school program requirements. The difference is that internships are generally shorter, and sometimes unpaid.

The post-secondary co-op/internship programs is an opportunity to work with the government. There are also volunteering and internship opportunities abroad, like the International Youth Internship Program (IYIP) and the Volunteer Coordination Program (VCP).

If you’re Indigenous and want to represent your culture and history together with cultural institutions, you can apply to the Canadian Museum of History Indigenous Internship Program.

Apply to the Canadian Conservation Institute Paid Postgraduate Internship Program if you’re a postgraduate student with a degree or diploma related to the conservation or management of heritage information.