FSWEP and Student Jobs: How To Work For The Federal Public Service

Getting student work experience is hard but lucrative – or it can be. Statistics Canada found that student work led to higher incomes after university graduation. That is why initiatives like the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) were invented. 

In fact, the FSWEP is your entry into a career with Canada’s largest employer, the Federal Public Service. Plus it pays better than minimum wage.

If you want to get a student job while in high school through your post-graduate studies, FSWEP is a great choice.

Pros and Cons of FSWEP

Pros

• Earn more than minimum wage
• Limit your student debt with help from FSWEP
• Gain experience in your field of interest or area of study
• A diverse and inclusive workplace
• Possibly line up work for after graduation
• Network and access contacts in the federal government workforce
• Apply online through the PSC portal
• Priority for Canadian citizens and permanent residents
• If no Canadian applicant meets the requirements, international students are eligible
• Opportunities in English and French, and bilingual positions
• Work in France or anywhere across Canada
• Get a full- or part-time position throughout the year.

Cons

• You must remain registered for full-time study
• Register for full-time studies for the next term at an accredited educational institution
• Positions come up throughout the year so you have to be organized and ready if you get an email about an interview or test
• A high volume of applicants so there is no guarantee you will be contacted
• For jobs in Nunavut, a Nunavut applicant is prioritized
• Meet the age requirement for work in your province or territory.

What Is The Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP)?

The FSWEP is Canada’s largest student employment program. It gives students of all levels and fields of study the opportunity to acquire experience in the area of federal public service.

Students hired by the FSWEP get the chance to work with a wide range of organizations across the country, as well as the ability to: 

• Advance their skills and augment their employability 
• Upgrade their academic curriculum
• Gain knowledge of possible future career options within the federal public service.

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has a general inventory of applicants, along with targeted inventories for specific departmental opportunities, like the Veteran Affairs Vimy Guides or Canadian Coast Guard Inshore Rescue Program. 

Targeted inventories also encourage and facilitate the portrayal of Employment Equity Groups. Managers are allowed to request referrals of available students whenever they want during the year.              

How Does The FSWEP Work?

Here’s what happens when you apply for the FSWEP in Canada:

1. Your application will be added to the student inventory.
2. During the year, managers ask for applications that match their job requirements.
3. You’ll receive an email notification if your application status changes or a job opportunity matches your profile.
4. If your application is chosen for further review, managers will contact you for a job interview and/or test. 

Don’t forget to update your FSWEP application regularly so that you’ll continue getting matched with the right job opportunities. All your information will be kept confidential.    

Are You Eligible For The Federal Student Work Experience Program?

To qualify for the FSWEP, full-time secondary or post-secondary school students must:

• Meet the minimum age criteria to be employed in their province/territory of work.
• Be returning to full-time studies for the next academic term. 
• Always be registered for full-time studies at an accredited academic facility. This includes:

• Students with visible or invisible disabilities, who are deemed to have full-time status by their academic facility.
• Students participating in adult education and retraining programs at the secondary level.   

Managers set the minimum levels of academic achievement required for each available job. If no eligible Canadian residents can fill the position, qualified international students with valid Canadian work visas may be considered for student employment programs.       

How To Apply For The FSWEP

The Government of Canada’s student recruitment inventory is open year-round and available to over 200 departments and agencies. It offers part-time and full-time work opportunities in a range of fields like trades, sciences, finance, information technology, administration, and more. You can easily apply on the Government of Canada website.   

What Kind Of Jobs Can You Get Through The FSWEP?

If you apply through the Ongoing Student Recruitment Inventory, you can access tons of different jobs in the federal public service, all across Canada. Eligible students can work in national parks and historical sites, on farms and ships, and in more than 300 cities from coast to coast. Some other federal jobs you can get through the FSWEP include:

• Agriculture
• Communications
• Fisheries and Oceans 
• Enforcement
• Policy
• Veteran Affairs  

Can A FSWEP Job Help You Pay For School?

With a FSWEP job, your rate of pay is determined at the initial stage of appointment or reappointment and will be based mainly on your current academic level as a student:

• Secondary – The rate for secondary students is set at the highest provincial or territorial minimum wage, which is $16.00 an hour (in Nunavut). If assignments require secondary school education but no secondary students are available, managers may offer them to post-secondary students at the secondary rate.

• Post-Secondary – Your hourly pay rate as a post-secondary student is assigned according to your level of education and phase or “step” of your FSWEP job:

• College/CEGEP Pre-University
  • Step 1 = $16.00  
  • Step 2 = $16.84
  • Step 3 = $17.83
  • Step 4 = $18.90
  • Step 5 = $20.04
  • Step 6 = $21.24 
  • Step 7 = N/A

• University Undergraduate
  • Step 1 = $16.99
  • Step 2 = $18.17
  • Step 3 = $19.48
  • Step 4 = $20.80
  • Step 5 = $22.99
  • Step 6 = $23.85
  • Step 7 = $25.52

• Master’s
  • Step 1 = $22.71
  • Step 2 = $24.50
  • Step 3 = $26.46
  • Step 4 = $28.57 
  • Step 5 = N/A
  • Step 6 = N/A
  • Step 7 = N/A

• Doctorate
  • Step 1 = $26.72 
  • Step 2 = $29.12
  • Step 3 = $31.74
  • Step 4 = $34.59
  • Step 5 = N/A
  • Step 6 = N/A
  • Step 7 = N/A

So, while it depends on your specific situation, a FSWEP job can help you pay for all or part of your studies. That’s right, you can limit your student debt with help from FSWEP. If not, there are other ways to pay for school, like the ones below.                  

Other Ways To Pay For School

If you don’t qualify for a FSWEP job or yours doesn’t pay enough to cover the cost of your education, you can also look into the following student financing options:  

• Student Loans – In Canada, you can find student loans through the federal and provincial government, as well as banks and other prime lenders. These loans can have 6-month grace periods and flexible conditions but aren’t always easy to get approved for, especially if your credit score or credit history is bad or your income is low/unreliable.

• Alternative Student Loans – A personal loan from an alternative lender can help you pay for school too. However, it may not have the same repayment perks as a government or bank loan (i.e. no 6-month grace period). It works like a regular loan, so it could also come with higher interest rates and less flexible terms.    

If you want to earn a scholarship, check out Loans Canada’s $750 Financial Literacy Scholarship

Types Of Programs Available Under The FSWEP

Once you’re hired for a FSWEP job and working in the public service, you can apply for tailored support services, along with several types of networking, training and mentoring opportunities. For instance, your manager can help you register for programs like:  

The Employment Opportunity For Students With Disabilities

The EOSD is a national inventory and support program for students who self-declare as persons with disabilities under the FSWEP and their managers. This initiative provides support for eligible public service employees during their work term and also features:

• An onboarding process
• Training
• A mentorship program 
• Activities
• Support services designed for students and managers/supervisors 

The EOSD offers these features to give students and hiring managers the tools needed to enhance the inclusion of disabled persons within the public service. Anyone who works in an approved student employment program, such as the Research Affiliate Program or a Post-Secondary Co-op/Internship, can become eligible for the EOSD.            

The Indigenous Student Employment Opportunity

The ISEO is another type of national initiative under the FSWEP, which provides support for persons who self-declare as Indigenous. First Nations, Inuit and Métis students can qualify for it during their work term in the federal public service. 

Similar to the FSWEP, The Indigenous Employe Opportunity offers an onboarding process and a selection of support services for students and hiring managers alike.     

The Federal Youth Network

The FYN is a national network for new and young public servants in Canada. Its main purpose is to promote innovation, engagement, and career development with a wide variety of activities and training programs. They have countless resources and offer year-round virtual events and themes, from career advancement to breaking down silos.       

Looking For The Right Student Job?

If you’re interested in working for the federal public service, registering for the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) is one of the best possible ways to hone your skills, land a good job, and expand your career.