The Youth Eco Internship Program places people aged 15 to 30 from diverse backgrounds into paid internship opportunities within the non-profit and community services sector in Canada with a focus on the environment, community and women's services. These positions, offered in a wide range of organizations, will help young Canadians learn the skills required to gain and sustain future employment within the sector. This project is a collaboration between the YMCA and YWCA Canada, with funding provided by the Government of Canada's Economic Action Plan.To support Canadians hardest hit by the global recession and prepare for long-term economic recovery and growth, the Government is creating more and better opportunities for Canadian workers through skills development and training.

YMCA Canada and YWCA Canada recognize that finding employment can be especially challenging for young Canadians in today's economy. These organizations are working together to implement the new Youth Eco Internship Program, which will place unemployed youth aged 15 to 30 in internships at non-profit organizations with a focus on environmental projects.

The organizations have developed a joint Youth Eco Internship Program Web site, www.yeip.ca, where interested young Canadians and employers can find more information on the program and how to apply. Potential interns and employers can also contact the organizations toll free at 1-877-668-7602 (YMCA) or 1-877-994-6876 (YWCA).

The federal government announced a one-time grant for this initiative as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

YWCA has granted Plenty Canada with two interns to begin work in 2010.  The two successful applicants must be between the age of 18 - 30

Communications and Community Outreach Assistant:

6 Month position, $12.00 per hour (35 hour weeks)

Will work with senior staff to produce environmental project materials, educational pamphlets, newsletters, web up-dates, assist in organizing public fundraising events and research issues for the communication and community outreach component. This position will embrace the marketing distribution avenues and through research, build on the donor data base systems. Other duties include organizing public service announcements, and assisting communications staff as required. The intern will work with our external consultants i.e. graphics designer, web master and editor in producing fact sheets, newsletters and be given the opportunity to provided creative input information of our public outreach program.

Aboriginal Environmental Stewardship Assistant:

9 month position $14.00 / hour (35 hour weeks)

Will work with senior staff on traditional medicine, invasive alien species, species at risk, Aboriginal traditional knowledge, education and public outreach; components of the Plenty Canada Environment Stewardship program. The intern will participate in field assessment, data input, and analyze report writing. Development of educational and public outreach materials, and participate in public events. Plenty Canada will offer training in identification of traditional medicine, appropriate fish methodology of Aboriginal traditional knowledge, sharing, fish trap netting, training in appropriate tail race survey, pamphlet and website development. Plenty Canada will seek opportunities to train in electro-fishing and tree marking. Plenty Canada staff and our partners will provide support throughout the internship both in terms of training and evaluation along with the necessary equipment and resources needed to effectively carry out the responsibility of the position.

Please email cover letter and resume electronically to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or fax to (613) 278-2416 or mail to:

Plenty Canada

266 Plenty Lane, RR # 3

Lanark, ON

K0G 1K0