Equity Internship Program

The Equity Internship Program coordinates paid internships within the BC Public Service for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) and/or members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community (Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual and other community members).  Internships run for up to 24 months depending on the position.

On this page

• Overview
• Eligibility
• Timelines
• How to apply
• Hiring Process
• Benefits and leave entitlements
• Information for host teams
• How the program benefits supervisors
• Contact Information

Overview

Looking for a paid opportunity to build your careers and make a difference?  The Equity Internship Program is designed for people who want to learn, grow and help create a more inclusive future in British Columbia.  Internships run for up to 24 months depending on the position.

Here's what you will get:

• Paid work experience: get paid to do meaningful work that builds your skills and expands your career- no matter where you are in your career journey
• Discover new career paths: learn about different jobs in the BC Public Service and explore what interests you most
• Benefits and leave: enjoy benefits and leave similar to other employees in the BC Public Service
• Supportive community: join a group of other program participants who identify as BIPOC and/or 2SLGBTQIA+, peers who understand and support you
• Networking opportunities: expand your professional network by connecting with colleagues and leaders across the BC Public Service, opening doors to future opportunities
• Career growth: after completing the program, you will have access to internal job postings for two years, giving you a head start on your next opportunity
• Lead meaningful projects: work on projects that help remove barriers and make workplaces more equitable and inclusive

Project leadership

A key component of the Equity Internship Program is an opportunity to lead the design, development and implementation of a project to remove barriers and biases. This project will help program participants to further develop their leadership skills, which will set them up for longer-term employment.

The projects will differ for each position, but they will all involve:

• Collaborating across varying teams
• Developing and managing project work
• Conducting research and creating reports
• Developing communication materials

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Secondary school graduation (Dogwood, GED)
• Two years demonstrated leadership skills and experience gained through work, community or volunteer opportunities. Experience may include:
  • Managing projects or project components
  • Supporting the design, delivery and evaluation of projects or programs
  • Searching, gathering and examining information and summarizing the research findings
  • Developing presentations and support materials for meetings or events
  • Organizing and prioritizing your and other people’s work
• An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered

Timelines

How to apply

The Equity Internship Program is now closed for the 2025/2026 cohort. Applications will reopen March/April 2026.

Hiring process

The hiring process for the internship program includes three phases that align with BC Public Service hiring practices:

• Resume and questionnaire
• Written assignment
• Interview

Applicants that are screened in (meet the eligibility criteria) receive more information about what to expect at each phase. Successful applicants will be matched to available internship positions based on interests, education and experience.

The BC Public Service is committed to ensuring hiring processes are equitable. All efforts will be made to make the phases accessible to all candidates. If you would benefit from an accommodation at any point, you are encouraged to request one.  For more information about accommodations, please contact us.  For more information on the BC Public Service hiring process, check out the Hiring process for applicants page on Careers & MyHR.

Benefits and leave entitlements

Program participants will be eligible for benefits and leave entitlements applicable to benefitted auxiliary employees under Article 31 – Clauses 31 – Application of Agreement, 31.9 – Medical, Dental and Group Life Insurance, 31.11 – Annual Vacations and 31.12 – Eligibility Requirements for Benefits. Please see the Collective agreements page for current and historic agreements.

Information for host teams

Host teams are an important part of the Equity Internship Program. When you welcome program participants to your team, you help make the BC Public Service more equitable. In return, you gain fresh ideas and new perspectives that can inspire positive change.

Hosting involves:

• Providing meaningful project leadership work that aligns with the participant’s skills and career goals
• Designating a supervisor or mentor to support their professional growth

How the program benefits supervisors

Hiring through the internship program means:

• The hiring process is done for you from the creation of job profiles to the evaluation of applicants
• You are supporting equitable hiring practices and the development of a workforce that accurately reflects the clients we serve
• You’ll receive ongoing support throughout the internship
• There will be opportunities to network with other supervisors and teams that are participating in the program