Recent graduates in British Columbia now have an extra place to look for work, if they can learn to co-operate.

The British Columbia Co-operative Association (BCCA), with support from Service Canada, has launched a new program that will help college and university graduates under the age of 30 find employment within the co-operative sector.

The Co-operative Career Internship Program will send seven young professionals into the workforce at various co-operatives and credit unions across the province for a period of 6 months. Participating organizations include VanCity, The Co-operators, Sustainability Solutions Consulting and the Co-operative Housing Federation. The program gives graduates the opportunity to learn about a new business model and gain valuable work experience.

"We looked at a similar program from Ontario [organized by the Ontario Co-operative Association (On Co-op)] and thought it was a really great opportunity to get youth involved in the co-operative sector," says Teyha MacKenzie, the program's manager at the BCCA.

The program was announced in late December 2009, and the first intake of interns began their positions on Feb. 1. The program is subsidized by Service Canada, who will contribute $8 per hour for each intern. Host organizations must match this amount, for an overall fair wage of $16 per hour.

There is no requirement for prior knowledge of co-operatives before entering the program. Each intake of interns will participate in a two-day workshop with guest speakers that will focus on the history and philosophy behind co-operatives, the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in life and how to determine your personal values and goals. Interns will also visit various co-operatives in Vancouver to see how they function on a day-to-day basis.

The BCCA will place interns in positions that allow them to further their interests and develop their strengths. Interns in On Co-op's program have worked in various areas including administration, marketing, public outreach, public affairs, co-op development and community economic development.

Good response

Audrey Aczel, the public affairs manager at On Co-op, says they have had overwhelmingly positive feedback about the program from host organizations and interns. Organizations now approach them months before each intake eager to participate.

Scott Piatkowski, the community coordinator at Beechwood Co-operative Homes, has hired two interns from the Ontario program. He values the program because it is advantageous to both the co-operative sector and the interns.

"The co-op movement, like many social movements, is graying, and there are fewer opportunities for young people to hear about the sector and get involved," says Piatkowski.

"The intern program takes people who are out of school and without a job and teaches them about the options that are available. In many cases it leads to long-term positions within the sector. Overall, it is a great way of bringing in young, fresh faces and ideas."

Internships have led to jobs

According to Aczel, many of the interns have found long-term employment within the industry. In 2008, On Co-op's program placed 30 interns. Fifty per cent found a permanent position within the industry (either at their host organizations or another co-operative) and an additional 20 per cent found employment immediately after their internship in another sector. In many cases, the intern program has been a launching pad for successful careers.

"We hope the program will make everyone involved a littler more aware of the opportunities that can be afforded within the sector," says MacKenzie.

"Ideally, the host organizations will realize that the BCCA is there to support them and the youth will learn to appreciate what co-operatives are all about."

The renewed interest in co-operatives shown by today's youth is an example of the rebirth of the co-operative movement, says Vivian McCormic. She is the program coordinator at the BC Institute for Co-operative Studies, whose mandate is to foster and promote research related to co-operative and community-based economies.

"We are seeing a huge renaissance of the co-op movement," says McCormic.

"Young people are recognizing that there are other socio-economic models to pursue. They realize we are in this together and we need to protect the environment and the people around us. Our future leaders are resilient, open and less likely to be shaped by the capitalistic model."

The BCCA hopes to increase the number of interns and host organizations for the next intake.

More info

For more information about participating in the program as a host organization or intern, please visit the BCCA website at www.bcca.coop.