PAID WORK EXPERIENCE CANADA FAQs - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1) What is a paid work experience in Canada?

2) What benefits does the program have?

3) What are the optional benefits?

4) What are the requirements for participating?

5) How much does the program cost?

6) What is the length of the program?

7) What should I expect upon my arrival?

8) Is the job offer guaranteed?

9) Are there job offers in any part of the country?

10) What are the most common placements?

11) Is it possible to change work once I have started?

12) How much will I earn?

13) What do things cost in Canada?

14) Is accommodation included in the price?

15) What VISA do I need to get?

16) Can I extend my VISA once there?

17) Is is possible work in any area at any given time?

18) May I choose which company to work for?

19) Will I need a uniform?

20) When should I apply for the program?

21) What if I am offered a job I dont want?

22) What if I accept the placement and I dont like it?

23) For how long am I expected to stay with the host company?

20) How many hours per week will I work?

21) What if I am offered a job I dont want?

22) What if I accept the placement and I dont like it?

23) For how long am I expected to stay with the host company?

1) What is a paid work experience in Canada?

Work Experience Canada offers you the opportunity to live and work in the most spectacular places of Canada including Toronto, Vancouver, the Rocky Maintains and Whistler. Depending on your experience, education, your language skills and your attitude you can choose a job in the 4 industries Hospitality and Tourism, Sales and Retail, Office and IT, Construction and Labor.

2) What benefits does the program have?

• Visa procedures

• Phone Interview(s) prior to arriving in Canada (if necessary)

• Job contract prior to arriving in Canada

• Social Insurance Number (Tax Number)

3) What are the optional benefits?

• Arrival Package

• Transfers, hostel accommodation, internet & continental breakfast

• Hostel Package

4) What are the requirements for participating?

• Be a citizen of the United States of America

• Be older than 18 years

• Medical insurance

5) How much does the program cost?

6) What is the length of the program?

The program has a minimum length of 6 and a maximum length of 18 months.

7) What should I expect upon my arrival?

We offer to our participants a landing package with shuttle service from the airport to the hostel and the reservation of a hostel. The participants will take part in an orientation session in one of our offices to check their work permits, start the procedure for getting a Social Insurance Number (Tax Number) and everything necessary for their job.

8) Is the job offer guaranteed?

We guarantee you a placement before your arrival to Canada.

9) Are there job offers in any part of the country?

We offer you the possibility to live and work in the most beautiful places of Canada including Toronto, Vancouver, the Rocky Mountains and Whistler.

10) What are the most common placements?

You can work in one of the following areas:

• Hospitality

• Tourism

• Restaurant

• Retail Services

• Construction

• Labor

11) Is it possible to change work once I have started?

In general terms, working places are not supposed to be changed. If a problem arises, then of course, we will fins you a new placement.

12) How much will I earn?

Wages vary according to placement type and resort. In general, pay rate average is 8 CAD per hour. Some positions that receive gratuities may make a lower rate.

13) What do things cost in Canada?

Canada has a similar cost of living than the US. Below are some sample costs:

(Note: Prices are in Canadian Dollars and are subject to change at any time)

• Season ski Pass to a resort CAD800 - CAD1800 depending on the resort

• Bus Pass: Vancouver CAD80 - CAD100 per month, Whistler $50 per month

• Bus Pass to a resort: CAD150

• Damage Deposit for Staff Accommodation: Approximately CAD175 - CAD300

• Uniform: Up to CAD250

• Accommodation during course of employment: CAD350 - CAD600 per month

• Government courses needed for certain placements: “Serving it Right” (CAD28) or “FoodSafe” (CAD125) or Basic First Aid Level 1 (CAD100) First Aid Enhanced (CAD125)

• Groceries per week: Minimum CAD50 (CAD200 - CAD300 per month)

• Entrance to a club: CAD15

• Beer at a Pub / Club: CAD5-CAD7

• A Big Mac Burger: CAD3.50

• A Starbucks Tall Café Latte: CAD3.50

• Skis / Snowboard CAD350, Ski Boots / Snowboard Boots CAD350, Trousers & Jacket CAD300, Gloves: CAD100, Goggles: CAD100, Helmet: CAD100, Thermal Underwear: CAD100

• A 15% tip or gratuity should be added to all purchases at a restaurant or pub

14) Is accommodation included in the price?

Additional to the program, we offer you the possibility to organize you an accommodation (extra fee).

15) What VISA do I need to get?

The visa is called SWAP, Student Work Abroad Visa.

16) Can I extend my VISA once there?

You should always take longer programs if you want to stay longer. The only way to stay is to add more weeks to your study and therefore gain more time to stay in your placement. Remember, you may be denied a VISA. The embassy is who makes the final decision.

17) Is is possible work in any area at any given time?

18) May I choose which company to work for?

Yes, you can certainly inform us that you want to apply for a particular placement, however all placements have minimum requirements based on experience, education, the ability to undertake placement for a full season, personal grooming, additional languages spoken and general attitude. All candidates should expect to spend at least some time working in the house-keeping department even if you meet all the minimum requirements. Details and basic minimum requirements are detailed below. Please note: minimum requirements are for entry level positions within that department, even if you meet all the minimum requirements this does not guarantee that you will receive a placement in that department.

19) Will I need a uniform?

This depends on the placement. It is advisable to bring black pants and work shoes as well as a collared shirt in case there is any opportunity to meet any hotel representative before starting the program. It is also advisable to have a pair of non slip comfortable shoes if you are working in a back of house position. Some positions and some resorts may ask you to purchase some additional uniform (up to $200) however most of them provide the majority of the utilities you will need. Some resorts may ask for a deposit on your uniform to be returned when you end you working period. Some placements require you to be outside so in winter you may need to purchase thermal clothing and snow boots. All uniform requirements will be specified with the placement offer.

20) When should I apply for the program?

As there are limited placements available you should register as soon as possible. The normal rule is 3 – 4 months beforehand as visa processing times can be very long in Canada.

21) What if I am offered a job I dont want?

When applying you should have an open mind about where you may work or travel to. Besides earning money, this is a travel experience and it is a unique one not mattering what you do. Unfortunately if you are offered a placement and do not wish to accept it there are no refunds.

22) What if I accept the placement and I dont like it?

You can write a letter to us and explain the situation. If there is a valid reason for changing locations that fall outside the scope of your contract (example; abuse in the work-place) then we will post or email you a request for a change form. Once we receive the request for a change form, we will meet with the host company to ensure that the reason for changing is valid. If the reason is valid then placement search will begin again. When a suitable placement has been found, we will inform your current employer that you are giving two weeks notice before leaving. Only then you will move to a new location. If the reason for the request for a change is not valid, then there will be no replacement.

23) For how long am I expected to stay with the host company?

The minimum period is 4 months for a back of house position and 6 months for any other position or any position at 4 or 5 star hotels. The maximum is for as long as your work visa allows unless you are on an internship program then the maximum is the number of weeks or hours of study you have completed or will complete on your program.

24) How many hours per week will I work?

You are considered a seasonal full time employee which means that your hours are not guaranteed. It is advisable to be at the placement during the busy seasons (December - April) and (June - September). Hours range from 10 - 60 hours per week however the average is approximately 30. You will be given a roster (that is subject to change) by your manager 1 or 2 weeks in advance of your shifts. You are expected to be available on the weekends, US and Canadian Public Holidays and evenings (if you are on an evening school program you will not be offered any position where you are supposed to be at your placement in the evenings such as Food and Beverage)