Alberta's nonprofit sector has a new opportunity to engage Alberta's best and brightest with the launch of the Serving Communities Internship Program (SCiP). SCiP awards Alberta's post-secondary students a $1,000 bursary for completing an internship with a nonprofit/voluntary organization.

Volunteer Alberta, in partnership with the Government of Alberta, will work with organizations across the province to engage interns meaningfully. The program intends to give nonprofit/voluntary sector organizations access to a new pool of talented individuals, introduce the nonprofit/voluntary sector to the knowledge and education of Alberta's youth, and partner with government, student executive councils, and the nonprofit sector to create a stronger commitment to community development.

Human resources for the future

"Giving students the opportunity to go beyond licking stamps and filing papers will encourage creativity and enthusiasm from a talent pool the Alberta nonprofit/voluntary sector needs," says Volunteer Alberta executive director Karen Lynch. "This is not painting fences or cleaning up river valley parks!"

SCiP also leverages the sector's ability to meet their missions by engaging Alberta's most significant asset - educated youth.

"This initiative is not limited to students in areas specific to their areas of studies, as learning in the real world does not always fit into faculty objectives," she continues.

Meaningful work changing lives

For example, students in both education and research programs might develop learning opportunities for new Albertans. They might work with an immigrant service agency to assess the learning needs of new Albertans and develop content that addresses language and integration issues. They might address nonprofits' needs for space, while industrial design and trades students might contribute their own expertise to the planning and estimating process.

The program will create up to 500 student internships in the first year of this three-year pilot project. Volunteer Alberta will guide nonprofit organizations through the process of creating highly skilled internship positions that continue to build capacities and accomplish missions.

The Serving Communities Internship Program will be open to post-secondary students enrolled in any certificate, diploma, undergraduate, graduate, or PhD program at one of Alberta's 26 publicly-funded post-secondary institutions. Both traditional and virtual internships are possible, allowing students to offer their skills anywhere in the province.

For more information visit www.joinscip.ca or call 1-780-482-3300, ext. 223.