Careers start with experience.
Experience starts with opportunity.
Opportunity starts HERE.

Are you graduating this year? Wondering how you’ll gain meaningful employment? Launch your career this May through Queen’s Career Apprenticeship: Kingston (QCA:K).
Register now and be the first to know about employment opportunities and other important information regarding QCA:K.
This innovative program aims to match soon-to-be graduating Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences students with leading local employers to provide a great first work experience. You’ll gain a one-year, full-time, paid, career apprenticeship in beautiful Kingston, Ontario, along with mentorship and networking opportunities to ensure your success long-term.
Why QCA:K?
QCA: K is an opportunity to invest in and build your professionalism while contributing to the growth of a local organization.
- Paid experience: apprenticeships pay a minimum yearly salary of $38,000.
- Exclusive opportunities: exclusive access to a pool of professional roles.
- Mentorship: be paired with a mentor to receive guidance and support during your first year in the workforce.
- Skill building: develop skills and competencies that build your resume for the next role.
- Networking: build valuable connections with individuals and organizations to support your professional development and obtain your first professional reference.
Why Kingston?
- Ranked the best city in Canada for young, talented workers
- 3rd best place to live in Canada
- Offers diverse opportunities to people of all background
- Kingston's culture of innovation and entrepreneurship is thriving and bringing with it new people, big ideas, and a fresh outlook on how to drive economic development in the community
- QCA:K looks to integrate a new generation of young, skilled professionals who will bring a new and exciting approach to employers within Kingston.
2023 Opportunities
View postings and apply in MyCareer
Apply to multiple roles to increase employment offers. Applications are due March 1, 2023.
Eligibility
To apply for positions under the Queen’s Career Apprenticeship: Kingston (QCA: K) program, students must be:
- Completing their final year of undergraduate studies and have applied to graduate in the 2022-2023 academic year.
- Registered in a Bachelor of Arts degree and majoring in the Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences disciplines.
- Willing to commit to 12 consecutive months of full-time employment in Kingston starting in May 2023.
- Eligible for full-time employment in Canada at the time of submitting their application.
If you are unsure if your major will qualify for the program, please reach out to the Experiential Learning Coordinator at asc.el@queensu.ca.
Program Timeline
February 10, 2023 – deadline for employers to submit positions
February 26, 2023 – Application deadline
March 1 - 3, 2023 - Review of applications
March 6 – 24, 2023 – Interviewing window
April 3, 2023 – Deadline to submit rankings
April 10, 2023 – Selected students receive position offers
May 1, 2023 – Apprenticeships commence!
Career Readiness Resources
Put your best foot forward! Access free support for writing your resume and/or cover letter, polishing your interview skills, and more.
QCA:K Provides:
- employment readiness support thought Career Services workshops
- 1-1 advising with a Career Advisor for resumes, cover letter, and interview preparation
Check the calendar to sign up for the workshops through MyCareer (under the Events/Workshop Calendar tab)!
Recommended Workshops:
- Ramp up Your Resume
- Conquer the Cover Letter
- Winning Interviews, Fundamental Strategies
- Exploring Career Options, Networking and the Job Search
These sessions are open to all students. Register in MyCareer (under the Events/Workshop Calendar tab) ASAP to secure your spot!
Past Apprentice Profiles
Will Shields (ArtSci ’21)
Nour Mazloum (ArtSci '19)
Justin Karch (ArtSci '18)
Carmen Song (ArtSci '18)
Previous Opportunities
For a list of employers and positions that previously participated, please see below.
Employer | Position |
Aureus Solutions Inc. | Environmental Technical Writer |
Axon Properties | Office and Accounting Assistant |
Cher-Mère Canada | Digital Media Coordinator |
Chris James Kingston | Administrative and Communications Assistant Shopify Administrator Womenswear Manager |
Creative Display Technologies | Media Sales |
Downtown Kingston! BIA | Marketing and Events Assistant |
Frontenac Community Futures Development Corporation | Business Advisor |
Habitat for Humanity | Community Outreach Associate |
Historic Inns Kingston Group | Grant Writing and Communications Manager |
HR On Demand | Inside Sales Administrator Administrative Assistant |
Improbable Escapes | Operations Assistant Video Content Creator |
Kinarm (BNKIN Technologies Ltd.) | Communications Apprentice |
Leahurst College | Marketing and Business Operations Associate Coordinator of Enrichment Studies and Administrative Support |
Little Giant’s Rockin’ Dog Town | Manager of Operations and Social Media |
MaxSold | Content Writer |
Skeleton Park Brewery | Marketing Coordinator and Front of House Manager |
Sherlock’s Escapes | Operations Manager Digital Media Coordinator |
Snapcab | Marketing Assistant – Community Engagement |
Thousand Islands Playhouse | Marketing Intern Marketing and Development Assistant |
Telecom Metric | Account Coordinator Technical Solutions Specialist |
Troon Technologies | Account Manager Product Manager |
VIVA Productions | Digital Media Coordinator |
Sun Life Financial | Administrative Assistant |
Kingston Economic Development Corporation | Research Assistant |
Rogers & Trainor Commercial Realty Inc. Brokerage | Executive Assistant |
Thousand Island Playhouse | Company Coordinator |
Kingston Institute of Psychotherapy & Neurofeedback | Clinic Administrator/Receptionist |
CPDonline | Marketing and Operations Coordinator |
Canada Royal Milk | Assistant to the General Manager |
KEYS Job Centre | Program Assistant |
Kingston Laser and Cosmetic Clinic | Patient Coordinator |
Imperium Social | Project & Client Success Manager |
Kingston Economic Development Corporation | Administrative and Projects Assistant |
FAQs
Is the program open to distance learning student graduates?
Yes, being a distance learning student does not exclude you from the program. If employers wish to facilitate phone appointments or skype interviews, this will be at their discretion. Most employers we have found are willing to be flexible.
Is program open to students that graduated this past Fall?
For this year, we will accept student applications from those that are graduating with an undergraduate Faculty of Arts and Science degree with a major in the Liberal Arts, Social Sciences, or Humanities during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Does this program include all university programs, including 'direct entry' or just BA / BSc - for instance, could Fine Arts or BMus or KINE do this?
The program is focused on students in the liberal arts, humanities, social sciences programs and therefore open to students studying Arts, Fine Arts or BMus. Students graduating with a BSc. will not be considered at this time.
Is there a fee to apply?
No.
Where do students apply?
Please sign in to your MyCareer account and select the Queen’s Career Apprenticeship: Kingston (QCA: K) module. Please review the application details as described in each job posting.
Will this show on their transcripts and/or diploma?
No.
If I have completed the QUIP program, may I apply for this program?
Yes, this is an additional opportunity after graduation.
Is this an apprenticeship program like a trades apprenticeship?
This program is a learning opportunity, just as trades apprenticeships are, but this is a unique program designed for new university graduates to accelerate their first year employed post-graduation.
What other important information should I know before submitting an application?
All candidates must be eligible for full-time employment in Canada at the time of submitting their application.
Other Resources
Other Resources:
QyourFuture
News
Gold Award for Queen’s Career Apprenticeship: Kingston
October 19, 2021
Giving graduates a jumpstart on new careers
May 2, 2021
Arts & Science Benefactor Recognized for Philanthropic Efforts
November 17, 2020
Careers Start Here
May 10, 2019
A Workforce Welcome
May 10, 2019
Apprenticeship Opportunities for Graduating Students: A Conversation with Lindsey Fair and Tom Hewitt
December 5, 2018
Supporting future success
November 28, 2018
Apprenticeship program aims to help Queen's arts graduates
November 27, 2018
Ottawa philanthropist expands Queen’s arts apprenticeship program
November 16, 2018
Apprenticeship program seeks businesses
February 11, 2018