SWAP Work in Canada

  Canada

• British Columbia: 
Vancouver
• Quebec: 
Montreal
• Ontario: 
Toronto

Length of Position: 6 months

Description: SWAP Working Holidays, Canada's most popular and longest running youth exchange program, allows American College and University students (ages 18-30) to travel and work anywhere in Canada for up to six months. This program allows you to gain international work experience without having to go overseas. The program cost is USD 250 plus mandatory travel insurance.

SWAP obtains the working visa for you which allows you to work anywhere in Canada. Now that you can legally work in Canada it's time to find work and that is where SWAP steps in! SWAP has three inbound centres located in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver. At each of these centres you will have access to numerous resources that will aide in your job and accommodation search. You will have access to job and accommodation postings, job banks of companies who have hired SWAPPERs in the past, online employment sites, placement agencies and classifieds from different news papers. Computers, fax machine, printers, Internet and phones are available to aid you with your job search as well as mail drop/forwarding services. At your arrival orientation you will receive vital information on bank accounts, taxes and applying for a SIN (social insurance number) and much more. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be there to provide guidance and support for the entire duration of your trip.   

Eighty-five percent of participants locate employment within first two weeks upon arriving in Canada. Although you can work anywhere in Canada most participants find themselves living and working in areas with a strong economy such as in Ontario (Toronto), Alberta (resorts in the Canadian Rockies and cities such as Calgary or Edmonton), British Columbia (Whistler, Vancouver or Victoria), and Quebec (Montreal French speakers).

SWAP's staff is there to help you with your resume and cover letter as well as point you in the direction of companies and geological areas that are hiring. No matter what job or jobs you decide to get, you'll return home with International work experience on your resume a guaranteed way to impress your future US employer!

Highlights:
- Lowest cost work program to Canada for only USD 250.
- SWAP longest running and most popular Canadian youth exchange program

Did you know?

- Canada and the U.S. are each other's largest trading partners.
- The U.S. has a greater trading volume with just the province of Ontario than it does with Japan
- Canada is made up of 10 provinces and 3 territories*; Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories*, Nova Scotia, Nunavut*, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon Territory*
- Canada's unemployment rate is 6.4%
- 90% of Canada's 31,000,000 citizens live within 100 miles of the U.S. border
- Canada has two official languages: English & French

If you are an American student with ambitions to one day thrive in the corporate world, this is your chance to head north of the border to learn more about your Canadian trading partner. Make your way to Toronto and pound the pavement in the financial district and get yourself acquainted with how Canadians do business.

If it is a French experience you are seeking but can't afford to head to Paris then look no further than the province of Quebec. You will be able to work on your French language skills and take in the beauty of European style streets and architecture. You do not have to cross the ocean to sit at a cafe and sip lattes and munch on baguettes!

If you are a winter sports junkie then head west and work at one of Canada's many ski resorts. Here you will be able to find work and enjoy some of the best skiing or snow boarding in the world.

Salary/Pay: Salary and Pay varies depending on the type of job. Minimum wage varies across the country so here is a breakdown of wages:

Ontario

Wait Staff/ Bartender...........USD 6.20/hr + tips
Other Jobs........................USD 7.15

British Columbia
Minimum wage..................USD 8.00

Alberta
Minimum wage...................USD 5.90

Quebec
Wait Staff/ Bartender............USD 6.55/hr + tips
Other jobs..........................USD 7.30

Money Matters
Hourly wage: USD 6.00-USD 10.00
Rent including utilities USD 450 - USD 600/monthly (Shared accommodation)
A loaf of bread: USD 1.50
A bottle of beer: USD 3.00- USD 4.50
A cup of coffee: USD 1.70
Regular Movie ticket: USD 12.00
Entry into nightclub: USD 10.00
Average pub dinner: USD 5.00-10.00

Typical Living Arrangements:
- Apartment/Flat
- College/ University dormitories
- Home-stays/ Boarding a room
- Independent living

Qualifications: - A U.S. Citizen
- Aged 18-30 years upon entry into Canada
- A full-time student at an accredited U.S. college or university

Salary / Pay: See above.

Experience Required: no

Participants Travel to Canada Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Other
• Phone Interview
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

Year Founded: 1975