The CFTPA in partnership with Human Resources Development Canada has launched its new pilot project – the Production Internship Program for Canadian Youth.

The program, which lasts 20 to 26 weeks or 26 to 37 weeks, assists both French- and English-language youth, aged 16 to 30, in paving the way toward a career in film and television production. Organizers hope at the same time to help satiate the industry’s growing need for experienced staff.

From 100 companies and close to 300 young people who applied, the program accepted 44 of each, from all parts of Canada.

Applicants who are traditionally underrepresented in the production industry were encouraged to apply.

‘The idea is to find people who don’t know what they want to do, believe this could be a good career alternative for them, but really could be people that would otherwise not have jobs at all,’ says Elizabeth McDonald, cftpa president and ceo.

As for the mentor companies, ‘it isn’t just about filling out a job need in the company, it’s about ensuring that there would be a real learning process and opportunity to move around,’ says McDonald.

hrdc provided $600,000 from its Youth Internship Canada Program. Participating mentor companies have committed to a minimum of 23% of an intern’s salary, which varies according to the job.

‘What we found in our [previous] training program is that often people end up with permanent jobs. And the industry gets a whole new set of people who understand the industry,’ says McDonald.

In addition to a national committee that Diane MacDonald, senior director of the cftpa mentorship program, worked with to develop the program, selection committees, consisting of a producer, industry organization person and a youth worker, were set up in each province to ensure a balanced cross-section of interns.

Because of the exceeding demand for the program, MacDonald is resoliciting the government and looking into partnerships with the provinces to ensure its continuation and possible expansion.