Apprenticeships

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

QCAK

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.

EmployerPosition
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

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