The program offers members wage subsidies to engage students on a full- or part-time basis, providing a flexible approach to working with students who are currently completing a degree in an accredited post-secondary institution in Canada.
The program is funded through Employment and Social Development Canada’s (ESDC) Student Work Placement Program, designed to give post-secondary students across Canada paid work experience related to their field of study.
The CMPA is an inclusive organization that is committed to achieving greater diversity and representation from Indigenous and equity-deserving groups, including, but not limited to, Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, persons from the broad spectrum of sexes, gender expressions and sexual orientations, and persons with disabilities. As such, we welcome and encourage applications from Indigenous and equity-deserving groups, or persons with intersectional identities.
Mentee eligibility
- Must be a post-secondary student enrolled in an accredited educational institution throughout the duration of the proposed placement
- Must be co-applying with a mentor company. The CMPA will, on a case-by-case basis, endeavour to pair candidates prior to applying with limited or no access to suitable mentor companies, with its qualifying members. This does not guarantee that an application will be successful, given the limited number of spots available. You may also create a mentee profile that will be accessible to mentor companies seeking a candidate. Find out more here.
- Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person on whom refugee status has been conferred
- Must be legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations
- Cannot be an employee or family member of the mentor company
Mentor company eligibility
- Must be a member of the CMPA
- Must be co-applying with a mentee candidate. The CMPA will, on a case-by-case basis, endeavour to pair mentor companies with suitable candidates. This does not guarantee that an application will be successful, given the limited number of spots available
- Must contribute toward the mentee stipend as described above
- A mentor applicant cannot be an employer or family member of the mentee with whom they are submitting a joint application
- The student cannot be hired to replace an employee, they must be a new addition to the team (e.g. if the company had 4 employees in the previous fiscal year, the student must be hired as the 5th employee in this current year.)
Duration of placement
Up to 12 weeks at 40 hrs per week, subject to approval by the CMPA.
Mentee stipend
For placements for student applicants who fall under the priority groups for the Government of Canada (women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Indigenous students, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and newcomers; as well as first-year students.):
- $11.90 per hour from the program
- Minimum $5.10 per hour from the mentor company
For other student placements:
- $8.50 per hour from the program
- Minimum $8.50 per hour from the mentor company
Payment of funds
Upon selection, each mentor company must sign a contract with the CMPA and the mentee, outlining the requirements of the program, including reporting procedures and how funds will be dispersed. Each financial award is to be solely applied to the mentee’s stipend. The CMPA contribution will be disbursed in monthly instalments. Each instalment will be given to the mentor upon submission of an invoice for the amount and the required supporting documentation (invoices, time sheets, mid-term and final reports, final questionnaires and proof of payment for the mentee’s stipend).
Approval process
Applications will be reviewed and evaluated upon submission on a first come first serve basis. All applications will be assessed against the program’s goal to create meaningful placements that will ultimately help support students’ efforts in developing their knowledge of and experience in the screen content industry. A number of factors will be considered, including, but are not limited to:
- Viability of the mentor-mentee relationship (e.g., shared goals and objectives; post-placement employment opportunities with the mentor company; financial contribution to the mentee’s stipend; demonstrated commitment to sharing expertise, and ability and experience in training)
- Clear internship objectives and skills development goals
- Strength of the proposed training schedule (e.g., mentee’s job description; diversity of training; mentor supervision) vs. proposed mentee’s related education, professional goals, and work or volunteer experience
- Demonstrated commitment to the film, television and interactive production industry