PICS received its highest number of internship applications in 2021 - and has awarded a record number too!
Our PICS Internship Program annual call attracted a record 75 applications from potential employers around British Columbia (BC) in 2021, with 13 internships being awarded - three more than usual.
Valued at upwards of $12,000, PICS internships support the hiring of university students and recent graduates at the workplaces of governments, NGOs, industry and communities that are pursuing climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions.
Nastenka Calle, PICS SFU Program Manager who manages the internship program, says the boost in internship awards reflects both the high quality of the proposals, and the increased need for climate solutions support in the province.
'PICS recognizes the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many organisations' sustainability and climate action budgets, as well as reduced the number of job opportunities for students. We have increased our support to allow this important climate solutions work to continue," she says.
Issues being tackled by the approved internships range from climate justice and First Nations knowledge-led climate strategies, to forest management and carbon reduction, including energy audits. Hiring to fill those positions is well underway, with 13 students from the four PICS universities (UVIC, UBC, SFU or UNBC) scheduled to start work by September 2021.
The recipients of PICS 2021 internships are; British Columbia Assembly of First Nations, Climate Caucus Council, Climate Action Secretariat, Squamish Nation - Rights and Title Department, Interior Health Authority, BC Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, C Change Labs Inc., Sunshine Coast Community Solar Association, Chuzghun Resources Corporation, Light House Sustainability Society, Technical Safety BC, CityHive, and BC Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations.
To date PICS has funded 141 internship positions worth more than $1.5 Million. Internships are $12,000, with optional top-ups from employers. Eligible students must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program at one of the four PICS partner institutions.
For information about this annual call please visit the PICS Internship Program page.
Nastenka Calle, Program Manager, Simon Fraser University
