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Equity Internship Program

Last updated on August 24, 2026

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

Participants work on real projects that create positive change. They work with teams across government and build skills for future leadership roles.
 
Use this page to understand who can participate, learn how the program works and find out how to apply.

On this page

What the program offers participants

Looking for a paid opportunity to build your leadership skills and make a difference?  The Equity Internship Program gives you the opportunity to learn, lead, and grow.

As a program participant, you will:

  • Develop leadership skills through real-life experience
  • Lead meaningful projects that help improve workplaces
  • Get paid while you learn, grow and gain new skills
  • Explore different career paths in the BC Public Service
  • Receive benefits and leave similar to other employees in the BC Public Service
  • Join a supportive community with other program participants
  • Expand your professional network by connecting with employees and leaders across the BC Public Service
  • Take the next step in your career with access to internal job postings for two years after completing the program

Internships run for up to 24 months depending on the position.

Project leadership

A key part of the Equity Internship Program is leading a project that helps remove barriers and reduce bias. 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:

  • Working with people across teams
  • Developing and managing project work
  • Conducting research and creating reports
  • Developing communication materials

Participant stories

Want to know what the Equity Internship Program is really like for participants? Explore stories from past participants. Learn how they found community and grew as leaders.

“This program has shown me that internships can be more than just learning on the job. I think they can truly make you feel like you belong...” — Harkamal

“It puts me in spaces that truly matters where representation matters so that other people who are like me, other immigrants, other Nigerians, other Black women. They can see me in those spaces.” — Opeyemi

“Anytime there was an opportunity to say yes I took it and so it was really transformative for me to be really like able to work in that stretch zone of growth.” — Tanya

Watch participant stories.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Secondary school graduation (Dogwood, GED)
  • Two years of 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

Timelines

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January to February

Host teams submit applications to host a program participant for the upcoming September.
 

March to April

  • Job profiles are created for each role and posted on the job boards
  • Applicants apply for positions that will begin in September
 

May to July

  • A hiring process is conducted to select applicants for the open positions
  • The hiring process includes:
    • Screening applications for job requirements
    • Evaluating the applicants’ skills through an assignment and interviews
    • Completing past work performance reviews
 

July to August

  • Selected applicants are matched with available internship positions
  • Host teams participate in learning and coaching sessions to prepare for the arrival of program participants
 

September

Program participants start in their positions for up to 24 months.

 

How to apply

The Equity Internship Program is closed for applications for the 2026/2027 cohort.  Please check back in March/April 2027 for details on the next cohort.

Hiring process

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

Applicants that are screened in (those that 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 develop future leaders in the BC Public Service.

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

Watch a participant and supervisor interview to learn how the Equity Internship Program supports career growth and the value host teams gain from new perspectives.

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 participating in the program

Contact information

Internship positions are offered only through the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. For more information about the program, please contact the email below.

Email
SDPR.EquityInternshipProgram@gov.bc.ca