How to offer an internship

There are several advantages to hosting an intern in your workplace, such as   

• Meeting your labour needs during the high season 
• Bringing new blood into your team 
• Promoting yourself as an employer 
• Contributing to the training of the next generation in your sector of activity

All students in regular (full-time) ITHQ programs must complete internships as part of their training.

Depending on your needs, you may be able to host an intern enrolled in:

• a vocational program (cooking, service and sommelier, pastry making)
• a technical programs (tourism, hotel or restaurant services management)
• a university program (tourism, hotel or restaurant management; hospitality, customer experience and employee experience management)

• Most internships take place during the summer, but some are held in fall, winter and spring.
• For full details of the dates on which you can offer internships, see the 2023-2024 internships summary table (for reference).

Several types of positions may be offered:

• Entry level positions (all sectors)
• Intermediate positions (all sectors)
• Supervisory positions (all sectors)
• High-end establishments positions (cooking, service and sommelier)                           
• Vineyard positions (sommelier)

For more details on the types of positions and the criteria to be met, see the 2023-2024 internships summary table (for reference).

• Your business must have been in operation for at least one year. 
• The duration of the internship must correspond to the criteria of the student’s program.
• The internship must be remunerated or rewarded at the minimum wage or higher as stipulated by the law of the country where the company is located.
• Accommodations must be provided for internships outside Québec.
• The internship must be conducted in compliance with the Act respecting labour standards.
• The tasks entrusted to the intern must be related to their field of study (tourism, hospitality, restaurant services, sommellier, pastry, customer experience). 
• The intern must be supervised by a person competent in their field of study. 

Some terms and conditions may vary depending on the program. See the 2023-2024 internships summary table (for reference).

• The employer submits an internship offer. Once approved it will be posted on the student portal (accessible only to ITHQ students).
• Students apply to the employer of their choice. 
• The employer is autonomous in the interview and hiring process of the intern. 
• Once the intern’s employment has been confirmed, the student will be responsible for sending the internship agreement to their employer. The signed agreement will confirm the student’s placement with the employer.

• This document serves as a contract between the three parties involved: the ITHQ, the employer and the intern.  
• The signing of the internship agreement confirms the intern’s placement, the intern’s commitment to fulfill the mandate given to them and the employer’s commitment to respect the terms of the internship.

• To provide the intern with proper reception, training and remuneration (or reward).
• To verify that the tasks assigned correspond to the mandate established in the internship agreement.
• To ensure that the internship is conducted in compliance with the Act respecting labour standards. 
• To assess the intern twice: once halfway through and once at the end of the internship. Evaluation forms will be provided by the internship department.

• Québec businesses that host an intern may benefit from a refundable tax credit (in french only) on the salary of both the intern and their supervisor according to Québec government criteria.
• Other financial assistance programs are available. Consult the list to see if your company is eligible. 

Here are some tips to help you attract students to your internship opportunity:   

• The salary on offer is an important deciding factor for our students. They will therefore generally be less inclined to accept a salary offer that is lower than the market rate.
• Do not hesitate to put forward your corporate culture. Is your workplace known for its camaraderie and team spirit? Are autonomy and creativity important values in your team? Mention it in your offer.
• For internships outside Montréal, accommodations must be provided for interns. We recommend that you publish photos of accommodations with your offer whenever possible.
• Meals provided in the workplace are also a benefit worth mentioning.
• When it comes to choosing an internship setting, students consider not only the learning opportunities, but also the overall experience they might have there. If your business’ surroundings offer activities or tourist attractions, do not hesitate to mention them in your offer.
• Work-life balance is an important value for the younger generation. Do not hesitate to highlight all the benefits you offer in this regard, such as a work week that does not exceed 40 hours, for example.

In closing, the idea is to find a good match between your expectations and those of your intern so that the experience is positive for all.

Our team will be more than glad to assist you.

You can contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone during office hours at 514-282-5111 or toll-free at 1-800-361-5111, ext. 5132.