First Jobs: Work Integrated Learning

Find the Talent You Need

We have helped 1000s of Alberta Tech companies get the talent they need to take them forward and build momentum. Get the right person for your needs and grow your business. With job seeker connections across Alberta’s innovation community and educational institutions, this is your chance to scale your company with local talent.

2023 FIRST Jobs Interim Impact Report

FIRST JOBS PROGRAM

FIRST Jobs: TechBOOST

TechBOOST (Technology Business – Optimization, Operations, Scaleup, Talent) Program is a pan-Albertan initiative aimed at fostering the growth of tech-based Small-to-Medium-sized Businesses. Interested growing tech companies should apply here; applications are currently open.

Building off of the foundations of the original FIRST Jobs Program, TechBOOST will work with partners and deliver incremental HR support through HRCatalyst, and work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities through FIRST Jobs: TechBOOST.

This program is supported by the Government of Alberta, Alberta Innovates (Ecosystem Development Program Partnership), and PrairiesCan.

Apply as an Employer

Apply as a Jobseeker

HRCatalyst

An HR incremental support program, targeted specifically to Alberta’s smaller tech companies – that are getting started with their hiring processes, so they can hire well, and grow their companies in Alberta through jobs growth.

HR Catalyst support is centered around four core areas:

Attraction- crafting the right job description, determining job type, applicant screening
Acquisition- hosting quality interviews, assessing candidates, on-boarding
Retention- benefits of your company, long term value
Promotion- employee career paths, advancement opportunities

FIRST Jobs: TechBOOST

The FIRST (First Industry Research Science Technology) Jobs program offers a meaningful work experience for a current student or recent graduate of an Alberta post-secondary institution while supporting the growth of Alberta’s SMB Tech Sector.

Business Eligibility

Technology Alberta, with guidance from the TechBOOST pan-Alberta Advisory Committee, is currently finalizing criteria for eligible companies – which may include:

- Scale-Ups*
  - - *Generating revenue outside of grants
    - Expanding their business
- Have current hiring needs, but do not have needed HR staffing at the company
- Are working in one or more of the following industries within the technology sector:
  - - - Data Enabled Innovation
      - Digital Transformation
      - CleanTech
      - Innovative Production Distribution
      - or other innovation areas within the funding guidelines

Will participate in TechHR Catalyst Program curriculum, with benchmarks and progress surveys

Preference will be given to businesses that have not previously participated in the FIRST Jobs or NExT Level Careers programs from Technology Alberta.

Jobseeker Eligibility includes:

Alberta residents over the age of 18
Currently enrolled students and recent graduates (up to 1 year) from a designated Alberta post-secondary institution
- International students are eligible
- Note: individuals in Continuing Education programs (i.e. non-credit certificates/micro-credentials) are not eligible for the program
Eager to work at a small, entrepreneurial businesses
Not currently working for or have previously worked with their hiring company
Have not previously completed a FIRST Jobs or NExT Level Careers work term

For hires to be fundable under TechBOOST, they must be actively working on a project related to the technology used or created by the applying company.

The FIRST (First Industrial Research, Science, or Technology) Jobs placement program by Technology Alberta, with support from the Government of Alberta and the Government of Canada, created employment opportunities for students and recent graduates in Alberta through 2024. The FIRST Jobs Program aims to connect innovative technology SMEs with talent from post-secondary institutions across Alberta.