Host an Intern

Saltire Foundation Canada connects Scotland's top university talent with dynamic Canadian companies through a dedicated internship program. Our program enables full-time, penultimate or final year students at Scottish Universities ('Saltire Scholars') the chance to experience a summer internship for a minimum of 10 weeks with Canadian organisations. We offer both in-person and virtual internships and take care of the logistics for each of our placements, from international visa processing to flights, accommodation and insurance. Once in Canada, we are on hand to provide pastoral care to our scholars, allowing you to focus on the delivery of the internship project within your business.

Secure High Quality Talent

At Saltire Foundation Canada, we understand the challenges of recruitment and acquiring new talent for your organisation. Through our internship program, you can:

Access a source of talent that is not available by other means
Help diversify the thinking and skill set of your workforce
Connect with the highest quality undergraduates in Scotland
Create a pipeline of graduate talent, with the ability to trial before commitment to permanent employment
Secure flexible talent - either in-person or working remotely

Our Saltire Scholars come from all different backgrounds and degree subjects. They bring diverse skills enabling them to work on dedicated projects that can help your business change and grow. These projects can cover a wide range of topics such as:

What’s Involved

Project Parameters

(September - December)
Hosts submit an internship description using guidelines provided. Meanwhile, the Scholar team shortlists Scotland’s top students who have been through three pre-selection phases. At this time we will also discuss any logistical considerations with you, such as the skills needed by the intern, suggested accommodation for their stay or any other information important to their recruitment
Interviews

(January - February)
Hosts receive pre-screened candidates to interview. The decision for which intern to take is yours. Interviews can take place over the telephone, on Zoom or other video conferencing platforms.
Logistical Support

(February - May)
Once selected, the Scholar team works with your chosen Scholar intern to ensure they are ready to undertake the internship. We will also be in touch with you to facilitate the completion of the Young Persons Work Permit application and any other logistical requirements, such as security clearance. Our team will continue to work with you to ensure you’re kept up to date with the planning process.
Final Placed Intern

(May onwards)
Hosts welcome their virtual and in-person Saltire Scholar for 10 weeks during the summer. The Scholar team provides leadership development and practical support to the interns before, during and after the internship.

Yasmin Voong, Digital Marketing Support, PCI Geomatics

“My experience as a Saltire scholar has been extremely beneficial and enjoyable. I don't know how else I would have been able to do a paid internship with a company abroad during a pandemic. Additionally, being part of a diverse, like-minded cohort is unique to the Saltire scholar programme, and that is something ongoing that all scholars get to enjoy past their internship.”

Freddie Ferguson, Product Analyst, Finning International Inc

"I've found it hugely beneficial to find yourself in situations where you are surrounded by people with vastly different life experiences to yourself. I've absolutely had to become more confident and self-assured in order to find my place in this new world from scratch."