Local Government Management Internship Program
About the Program
Local governments in British Columbia are finding it increasingly difficult to train or attract competent individuals who are interested in a career in local government. Over the next several years the trend of senior local government staff retirements is going to put even more pressure on the local government system to find ways to recruit competent individuals from outside the local government field. Individually, many local governments lack the resources or capacity to tackle this issue on their own. In response to this, the Local Government Management Association (LGMA), the Municipal Finance Authority and the Ministry of Community and Rural Development together have developed the Local Government Management Internship Program that will provide a system approach to the challenges of recruitment and training.
The Local Government Management Internship Program is a 3 year pilot project, with the first internships starting in 2008. Each year up to five BC local governments will be selected to host one year internships for individuals who have recently completed a post-secondary degree or diploma and who are not currently employed in local government. Program partners will work closely with universities and colleges to provide a pool of qualified interns for consideration. Program partners provide funding of $36,000 for each host local government. Host local governments are required to provide a local contribution toward the cost of intern salaries and training. Interns will receive broad training opportunities through a custom-designed intern workplan, and be exposed to all aspects of local government operations and in turn will contribute to capacity-building of host local governments. Internships start in May or June, with host local governments selected by November of the previous year.
Detailed program guidelines and application package information can be found on the following pages:
For more information, contact:
Go to TopElizabeth Brennan, Program Coordinator
Local Government Management Association
7th Floor - 620 View Street
Victoria, BC V8W 1J6
Phone: (250) 383-7032
Email: ebrennan@lgma.ca