Federal Student Work Experience Program

FSWEP provides full-time students valuable, hands-on work experience related to their field of study and allows for a wealth of learning opportunities. Students obtain fair and equal access to job opportunities across the country. Although students are not required to have previous work experience to apply, they must meet the program’s eligibility criteria.

There are many types of exciting and challenging jobs being offered to both secondary and post-secondary students. These opportunities encompass a wide range of duties and responsibilities as they relate directly and indirectly to providing service to all Canadians. This full spectrum includes office and clerical work, field and lab work, information technology work and working outdoors.

How does it work?

Each FSWEP campaign is generally open from October of one year to October of the following year.

The rates of pay for all student employment throughout the federal public service are established by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Students are paid an hourly rate based on their educational level and their year of study. To find out the current rates of pay for students, or for additional information, consult the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students.

The FSWEP e-recruitment inventory is then built based on those applications and is used to randomly select candidates who meet the job requirements identified by the hiring organization. The random selection approach ensures a fair and equitable way of identifying potential candidates.

• Your application is part of the national FSWEP inventory (and Departmental Program(s), where applicable);
• Federal organizations request student referrals from the PSC.;A random search of the FSWEP inventory (or Departmental Program inventory(ies)) is conducted by the PSC and is based on the requirements of the position identified by the hiring organization (e.g., year/level of education, field of study, skills, work location, language). The random selection identifies a minimum of five students per job opportunity to refer to the hiring organization;
• The PSC contacts the identified students by e-mail to validate their interest and availability. The PSC then refers all interested students to the hiring organization;
• The hiring manager assesses the referred students; a job offer is made to the selected student(s) by the hiring manager; and
• The results of all students referred to the hiring organization are posted to the students’ on-line profiles (“View my results” section)

This inventory is managed by the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Canada, the agency that administers various staffing programs on behalf of the Government of Canada. The PSC acts as a broker in referring eligible students to hiring managers and, in turn, the hiring manager is responsible for the assessment of each referred candidate and all subsequent staffing actions (such as preparing the letter of offer, conducting the security clearance, determining the rate of pay, etc.).

The rates of pay for all student employment throughout the federal public service are established by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. Students are paid an hourly rate based on their educational level and their year of study. To find out the current rates of pay for students, or for additional information, consult the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students.

This national program employs approximately 9 000 students every year, by way of an inventory of over 50 000 student applicants.

FSWEP Facts

FSWEP is the primary vehicle through which federal organizations recruit and hire students. This program, established in 1990, provides thousands of students with temporary jobs every year in various federal organizations across Canada.

The PSC is responsible for the administration of this program, as well as several others, on behalf of the Government of Canada; the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat establishes the program and its legislative framework. This governing framework includes the following:

• Student Employment Policy
• Student Employment Programs in the Federal Government
• Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students
• Student Rates of Pay

FSWEP is designed to:

• Enrich your academic program by giving you learning opportunities and valuable work experience within your field of study;
• Help fund your education and encourage you to complete your studies;
• Develop your employability;
• Offer insight into future employment opportunities and career options within the public service; and
• Allow you to access potential opportunity for term or indeterminate employment through student bridging (see FAQs for more details).

Every year across Canada, students and graduates are hired through recruitment programs administered by the PSC on behalf of the Public Service of Canada. These programs provide a wealth of opportunity and valuable work experience to students.

FSWEP targets full-time students who attend secondary schools, CEGEPs, colleges, technical institutes or universities across Canada. Canadian students studying abroad may also be interested in this program.

To be eligible for FSWEP, you must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled as a full-time secondary or post-secondary student in a recognized institution and currently be recognized as having “full-time student status” by that academic institution;
• Be returning to full-time studies for your next academic term; and
• Meet the minimum age requirement to work in the province or territory where the job exists.

Students in their final year of academic study and not returning to full-time studies are only eligible to work part-time until the completion of their final full-time academic term.
Students who are hired will be asked by the hiring organization to provide proof of eligibility (for example, a letter from Registrar’s Office, class enrolment/schedule or other official document) which confirms your full-time student status.

While non-Canadians may apply to FSWEP, preference is given to Canadian citizens who meet the job requirements identified by the hiring organization. A Canadian citizen is a person who possesses Canadian citizenship by birth or through the naturalization process under the Canadian Citizenship Act.

• Scenario 1: Applying for the first time
• Scenario 2: Updating information in my existing PSRS job account and re-applying to the FSWEP campaign
• Scenario 3: Updating information in my existing PSRS job account and applying to the FSWEP campaign for the first time
• Scenario 4: Modify your FSWEP application in order to apply to a Departmental Program
• Scenario 5: Modify my FSWEP application

The FSWEP e-recruitment inventory is a national inventory of students seeking jobs within the federal public service. The inventory is designed to search for and randomly select students who meet the job requirements identified by the hiring organization. The random selection approach ensures a fair and equitable way of identifying potential candidates.

Departmental Programs

A Departmental Program is created by a hiring organization when there is a need to hire either a large number of students or students with specific education and/or skill set(s). These programs are advertised individually, each indicating their own requirements.

Departmental Programs exist within the FSWEP program and follow the same established search and referral process as used for the FSWEP inventory.

Interested students must apply specifically to these opportunities, however must firstly apply to the FSWEP inventory. See the How to apply tab for more details.

• Canada Border Services Agency - Student Border Services Officer
• Veterans Affairs Canada - Student Guide Program in France
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada - Great Lakes Area Summer Science Student Program
• Canadian Coast Guard - Inshore Rescue Boat Service

Featured Jobs

These are some of the organizations offering exciting job opportunities to students in this year's campaign. To be considered for any of these opportunities, you must apply to the FSWEP campaign.

• Canadian Transportation Agency
• Rideau Hall
• Royal Military College of Canada Library
• Supreme Court of Canada
• Parks Canada Agency
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Marine Geomatics)

Questions about FSWEP eligibility

• I am a non-Canadian. Do I meet FSWEP’s eligibility criteria?
• If I finish high school this fall semester and plan to return to full-time studies next fall, am I eligible for the FSWEP?
• I am in my final year of academic study and I am not returning to full-time studies in the next academic term. Am I eligible for FSWEP?
• I am a part-time student in my final year of academic study. Am I eligible for FSWEP?
• I am a part-time student with a recognized disability. Do I meet FSWEP’s eligibility criteria?
• Do I need to be bilingual to be hired?
• Does FSWEP recognize distance learning?
• I am currently enrolled in an academic distance learning institution and a non-distance learning institution – and part-time in both. Does this constitute “full-time” status? And if so, am I eligible for FSWEP?
• I am a Canadian student studying (full-time) outside of Canada. Am I eligible for FSWEP?

How FSWEP works

• Is it necessary to submit a new application every year?
• What happens after I submit my job application?
• What kinds of jobs are available?
• How do I apply to a “Featured Job”?
• Why did I receive an e-mail from the PSC about a job for which I do not meet the requirements (for example: location of job, skill set, education specialization)?
• If I am not interested in a job when contacted, will I be contacted for other jobs in the future?
• Why am I not being contacted for FSWEP job opportunities?
• Does my name remain in the FSWEP inventory despite the fact I accepted a job opportunity (full-time or part-time)?
• What does it mean when I am asked to enter work location(s) on my application?
• How can I be considered for re-employment or re-hire through FSWEP?

The assessment process

• What does “assessment” mean?
• What if I require technical aids or alternative arrangements for exams or interviews?
• Who pays for my travel expenses related an interview or my relocation related to a job offer?
• I do not have any money to travel for an interview. Why bother applying?

Student bridging

• What is student bridging?
• Can student employment lead to an appointment in the public service?
• How does the FSWEP program relate to student bridging?

Rates of pay and compensation

• Where can I find information about the student rates of pay and other aspects related to compensation?
• What are the rates of pay for FSWEP jobs?
• If I am a post-secondary student and I indicate in my FSWEP application that I am willing to take the secondary school rate of pay, what does this mean?

Questions about FSWEP eligibility

I am a non-Canadian. Do I meet FSWEP’s eligibility criteria?

Yes, however preference is given to Canadian citizens who meet the job requirements identified by the hiring organization. A Canadian citizen is a person who possesses Canadian citizenship by birth or through the naturalization process under the Canadian Citizenship Act.

If I finish high school this fall semester and plan to return to full-time studies next fall, am I eligible for the FSWEP?

No. In order to be eligible for the FSWEP, a person must currently be a full-time student, returning to full-time studies in his/her next academic term. In this case, the next academic term would be the winter semester in high school. Students in this situation would become eligible once they started their full-time studies the following fall.

I am in my final year of academic study and I am not returning to full-time studies in the next academic term. Am I eligible for FSWEP?

Those students in their final year of academic study who are not returning to full-time studies in the next academic term are only eligible to work part-time until the completion of their final academic term.

I am a part-time student in my final year of academic study. Am I eligible for FSWEP?

No. Students must hold full-time student status (confirmed by their academic institution) in order to be eligible for FSWEP.

Part-time students are currently ineligible for the FSWEP program, but are encouraged to visit Jobs Open to the Public for employment opportunities in the federal public service.

I am a part-time student with a recognized disability. Do I meet FSWEP’s eligibility criteria?

Students with a disability who are recognized by their educational institution as having full-time status meet the Program’s eligibility criteria.

Do I need to be bilingual to be hired?

It depends. Although bilingualism is not a eligibility criteria for the FSWEP program, in some jobs and for some regions in Canada, bilingualism is a requirement for the position. If the job opportunity requires bilingualism, the search in the FSWEP inventory will be conducted with this requirement.

Does FSWEP recognize distance learning?

Yes, provided that the full-time status eligibility criterion is respected.

Students enrolled in a distance education program must be recognized by their educational institution as having full-time student status.

Some students may be enrolled in a combination of distance education AND be (physically) attending classes in an academic institution – and together these must constitute full-time study status.

I am currently enrolled in an academic distance learning institution and a non-distance learning institution – and part-time in both.  Does this constitute “full-time” status? And if so, am I eligible for FSWEP?

If you are recognized by your academic institution as having full-time student status, then you meet the FSWEP eligibility criteria.

I am a Canadian student studying (full-time) outside of Canada. Am I eligible for FSWEP?

Yes, however students must be aware that should they be called for an interview, they may need to return to Canada at their own expense. (More information about this in the assessment process section below).

How FSWEP works

Is it necessary to submit a new application every year?

Yes. Every fall, a new inventory is created; the registration date is posted on this site. A student must submit his/her application every year when the new inventory is created. Once submitted, the application remains in the inventory for the entire campaign period (approximately 12 months). You are responsible for keeping your application up-to-date.

What happens after I submit my job application?

• Your application is part of the national FSWEP inventory (as well as the inventory associated with each Departmental Program, if you have applied to one);
• Federal organizations request student referrals from the PSC;
• A random search of the FSWEP inventory (or Departmental Program inventory(ies)) is conducted by the PSC and is based on the requirements of the position identified by the hiring organization (e.g., year/level of education, field of study, skills, work location, language). The random selection identifies a minimum of five students per job opportunity to refer to the hiring organization;
• The PSC contacts the identified students by e-mail to validate their interest and availability. The PSC then refers all interested students to the hiring organization;
• The hiring manager assesses the referred students; a job offer is made to the selected student(s) by the hiring manager; and
• The results of all students referred to the hiring organization are posted to the students’ on-line profiles (“View my results” section).

What kinds of jobs are available?

There are many types of jobs being offered to both secondary and post-secondary student jobs are varied and include office administration, field work, information technology, program administration and delivery of services to Canadians. 

The Featured Jobs (see the Opportunities tab) and Departmental Programs currently on our Web site provide a good idea of the various types of job opportunities available to students.

How do I apply to a “Featured Job”?

Students are recruited through the FSWEP inventory for these positions, Unlike the Departmental Programs, students do not apply directly to the “Featured Jobs” opportunities.

Why did I receive an e-mail from the PSC about a job for which I do not meet the requirements (for example: location of job, skill set, education specialization)?

The applicant profile you create is key. Every search relies on the information provided in each candidate’s profile. When you complete your profile, it is important to accurately select from the menu options. This includes accurately selecting your area of residence and the location(s) in which you are able to work. Your attention and accuracy in completing your profile will result in you being referred to positions which meet your background, interests and availability for work location.

If I am not interested in a job when contacted, will I be contacted for other jobs in the future?

You are not obliged to say "yes" when contacted. Your application will nonetheless remain active in the FSWEP inventory for the duration of the campaign.

Why am I not being contacted for FSWEP job opportunities?

The FSWEP inventory is designed to search for and randomly select students who meet the job requirements determined by the hiring organization. We receive approximately 50 000 student applications every year. In the last few years, an average of 9 000 jobs has been offered to students on an annual basis.

Does my name remain in the FSWEP inventory despite the fact I accepted a job opportunity (full-time or part-time)?

Your name remains in the FSWEP inventory for the entire duration of the campaign, however:

• Students who have accepted a full-time job will only be referred to other hiring organizations starting 10 days prior to the end-date of their employment; and
• Students who have accepted a part-time job will continue to be referred to hiring organizations recruiting for full-time opportunities; however those students will only be referred starting 10 days prior to the end-date of their employment to hiring organizations recruiting for part-time opportunities.

What does it mean when I am asked to enter work location(s) on my application?

Selecting work locations on your application means you are willing to work in the locations you select. It is important to note that in most cases hiring organizations will not pay for your relocation should the job opportunity not be in your area of residence.

How can I be considered for re-employment or re-hire through FSWEP?

The PSC may authorize the re-employment of a student in the same, or in another organization provided that the student has previously been employed through either the FSWEP, the Co-op/Internship, or the Research Affiliate (RAP) programs.

Furthermore, a student must ensure that they have submitted an on-line application for the current FSWEP campaign.  In addition, the student must meet all the requirements for the job and continue to meet the FSWEP eligibility criteria.

The assessment process

What does “assessment” mean?

Assessment means verifying that a student possesses the required education and/or skills.

Under the FSWEP program, the hiring manager must assess all referred candidates. This assessment may take various forms, such as: a telephone interview, a face-to-face interview or a written exam. Preceding a formal interview, the hiring manager may choose to send an e-mail to the candidate, to validate education and/or skills, which may result in a student not receiving an invitation to an interview.

What if I require technical aids or alternative arrangements for exams or interviews?

Please advise us of your special needs when we contact you. We must be informed of your situation in order to make alternative arrangements. It is government policy to create and maintain an inclusive, barrier-free environment in the public service to ensure the full participation of persons with disabilities.

Who pays for my travel expenses related an interview or my relocation related to a job offer?

When you are invited to an interview and/or to relocate, the hiring organization may authorize and reimburse pre-determined travel expenses incurred on your trip and/or for your relocation.
However, it is important to note that in most cases hiring organizations will not pay for your relocation should the job opportunity not be in your area of residence. The decision to pay for relocation is the responsibility of the hiring organization.

The provisions for students (as a traveler) will be different from those of employees. Also, not all agencies, boards and commissions are subject to the TBS Travel Directive. In these instances, the hiring organization will provide you with more information.

Additional information on travel and relocation may be found in sections 2.3 and 3.17 of the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students and in the TBS Travel Directive.

I do not have any money to travel for an interview. Why bother applying?

There are different ways to assess candidates. Assessment may not necessarily involve travel (for example, a telephone interview rather than a face-to-face interview). The hiring manager decides on the method(s) of assessment.

However, you may be required to travel and pay for all your travel expenses. It is important to ensure the work locations you select in your application accurately reflect your ability to attend an interview and/or relocate for the job opportunity.

Student bridging

What is student bridging?

Student bridging is a staffing option provided to managers to facilitate the integration of students into positions in the federal public service after the successful completion of their educational program.

Can student employment lead to an appointment in the public service?

Successful completion of both an FSWEP work assignment and your educational program may lead to temporary or permanent Federal Public Service positions for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

It is important to know that managers have no obligation to appoint students who have graduated and whom the manager had once hired for a student work assignment.

How does the FSWEP program relate to student bridging?

The FSWEP program makes a student eligible to be bridged by a hiring organization.

The hiring of a student through the FSWEP, Co-op/Internship, and RAP programs may lead to temporary or permanent positions for which the student meets the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

Rates of pay and compensation

Where can I find information about the student rates of pay and other aspects related to compensation?

The rates of pay for all student employment throughout the federal public service are established by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS). Students are paid an hourly rate, based on their educational level and their year of study. You may also wish to contact the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) at Interpretations@tbs-sct.gc.ca with any questions.

Finally, other aspects related to compensation included in the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students – such as leave, overtime, shift premium and isolated post allowance – are part of a student’s overall compensation package.

What are the rates of pay for FSWEP jobs?

The TBS establishes the student rates of pay, which can be found at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/lrco-rtor/collective/lru-mnc/student-etudiants-eng.asp.

Rates of pay for post-secondary students are based on the level of study being pursued by the student (university versus college). For example, a student pursuing a university-level degree or diploma is paid according to the university undergraduate pay structure, whereas students pursuing a college-level degree or diploma will be paid according to the college/CEGEP pay structure. Furthermore, a student who has completed his/her studies at the CEGEP level is typically paid starting at Step 3 of the university undergraduate pay structure.

Certain colleges are affiliated with a university and offer degree programs. Students studying in these colleges and who are pursuing a university-level degree will be remunerated based on the post-secondary school rates of pay.

Students who have completed a university degree and who are continuing their studies at a college in a related field of study will be paid according to the university undergraduate rate of pay.

Some federal organizations have negotiated different rates of pay with the TBS. For these situations, the specific rates of pay are indicated in section 4 of Appendix A of the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Students.

Rates of pay for secondary school students differ by region.

If I am a post-secondary student and I indicate in my FSWEP application that I am willing to take the secondary school rate of pay, what does this mean?

Post-secondary students who indicate that they will accept the secondary school rate of pay may be offered positions for which no secondary school students can be found. In this case, the students will be paid at the secondary school rate of pay.

Fswepll@psc-cfp.gc.ca