Young Canada Works Program

"Canadian Heritage is responsible for national policies and programs that promote Canadian content, foster cultural participation, active citizenship and participation in Canada's civic life, and strengthen connections among Canadians." A stream of Canadian Heritage is the Young Canada Works program, which is employed every summer by a variety of organizations.

"Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations is a summer program that gives students the opportunity to learn about Canada's history and cultural heritage by assisting heritage organizations and agencies to create summer jobs for students from the ages of 16 to 30."

The aim of the program for the student is to "acquire work experience related to their studies and allow them to explore career opportunities." It also allows i some instance for a "great geographic exchange experience" and the "ability to develop a network" in the field they are studying.

The aim of the program for the employer is to subsidize the wage of the youth employed, while allowing the incorporated, non-profit organization to "hire students with skills specifically related to the organizations needs".

Source: Heritage Canada Organizations Website: http://www.heritagecanada.org/eng/services/works.html accessed October 2nd 2010.

We would like to thank the Young Canada Works program and by association Canadian Heritage for the oppotunity of participating in the program in 2011. We would also like to thank the Canadian Wheat Board for their contribution to the 2011 program.

The Students Bio: Jason Brown
I have just completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in History at the University of Manitoba. I intend to pursue a Master's degree in medieval history followed by a PhD. I am passionate about medieval history and literature and I am also interested in Canadian history. I hope to be a professor of history so that I can spend every day doing what I love: researching, writing, debating, and teaching.

Working for Heritage Winnipeg has given me opportunities and challenges beyond what I have learned in my studies. It has fostered my interest in politics and allowed me to reflect on the connections between the issues of today and the legacy of the past. Most importantly, it has given me the chance to consider the importance of preserving links to our history so that we can all share and take pride in a common heritage. The past must be public, not restricted to scholars, and built heritage is essential to maintaining a public, usable past.

We will be begin accepting applications for summer 2012 starting in February.