The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) and the Association of Canadian University Planning Programs (ACUPP) urgently call on the planning profession to help create new positions for planning students and recent graduates. Many supports are already in place to help employers, including wage subsidies.
“As a result of the pandemic, we are seeing a sharp reduction in the number of summer jobs, internships, and entry-level positions that new graduates from Canada’s accredited planning programs would typically have available to them,” said Dr. Sandeep Agrawal RPP, MCIP, co-president of ACUPP and Director of the University of Alberta’s School of Urban and Regional Planning.
According to Statistics Canada, the country lost 213,000 jobs in January 2021, and youth unemployment has increased by almost 10% since December 2020. The shortage of student and entry-level planning positions requires immediate attention and prioritization to avoid any potential longstanding and cascading impacts on the planning profession.
“We are asking all members in all sectors to consider creating new opportunities for planning students and new graduates,” said CIP’s President, Dan Huang RPP, MCIP. “We understand that not everyone is going to be in a position to hire; however, for those who have the means, please consider taking action.”
Please consider these resources to reduce barriers and help your organization provide opportunities for tomorrow’s planners.
National
- ECO Canada Student Work Placement Program (wage subsidy for co-op positions of 6-16 weeks)
- Magnet Student Work Placement Program (wage subsidy program)
- TechNation Canada (wage subsidy for “tech immersive” student work placements of 12-16 weeks)
- Canadian Institute of Planners offers free student and graduate job postings on its Careers in Planning site (use code “STUDENT”)
Provincial/Territorial
- OPPI Student Planner Internship Funding Program (up to $7,500 per employer available)
- University of Manitoba Co-op and Integrated Work Program Employer Information
- Atlantic Planners Institute offers free student job postings on its website
- University of Alberta, Planning Internship Programs – students available for 4, 8, 12 or up to 16 months of full-time, paid work experience. Full recruitment services for employers, including assistance with interview coordination are provided free of charge. Contact Tonya Whelan, Work Experience Coordinator to post opportunities or to ask questions.