As a History student, there are lots of opportunities for you to engage with Canada’s rich history. The Canadian Museum Association (CMA) is the voice for Canada’s vibrant museum community. They advocate for public policies and support, build skills across the profession, and establish and inspire connections to strengthen and sustain museums. Check out this bout the CMA.
One of the objectives in their new strategic plan is to help strengthen the museum workforce today and for the future. They do this in various ways, including through the Young Canada Works (YCW) program, which they deliver on behalf of the Department of Canadian Heritage as part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy.
Now, more than ever, given the impacts of the pandemic, they are undertaking efforts to increase awareness of the CMA and participation in this great program, which has two streams:
Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations (YCWHO) — short-term work experiences for students
Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage (YCWBCH) — internships for college or university graduates
YCW is a great way to begin developing meaningful work experience and developing a network of connections in the sector. To help students grow their skills in the field, YCW placements can complement program-specific internships by offering paid work opportunities, many of which run in the summer.
For more information on the CMA and the Young Canada Works Program, visit their