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DigiBC’s Work Placement Pilot Project

Supporting Creative Technology in BC

Work Placement Pilot Project

Supporting Creative Technology in BC

Designed to benefit employers and students

DigiBC's Work Placement Pilot Program supports post-secondary students by providing experiential learning opportunities in animation, video, games, visual effects, and XR.

The program provides students with access to well-managed work placements along with the additional resources and connections they need to launch a successful career in creative technology, including animation, visual effects, video games and XR.

It offers employers tools to make hiring and onboarding students easier and more accessible—along with assurance that they’ll be working with top-tier, talented students who are keen to work, learn, and contribute.

Support For Students: Resources for Placement

Students enrolled in qualifying ACE-WIL post-secondary programs in BC are eligible to participate in the program, securing four- or eight-month placements at creative technology companies across the province.

As a part of the program, students will get a head start on their creative tech careers thanks to customized orientation workshops, e-learning resources, mentoring support, and the opportunity to start building their own professional network in the industry.

Support For Employers:
Structures to Ensure Success

The process of hiring students can be challenging. That’s why—as a part of this program—DigiBC’s Work Placement Office actively helps with recruiting, administration, and facilitating financial supports that subsidize qualifying placements.

Creative technology employers who are a part of the Work Placement Pilot Program also receive proven resources to help with hiring, onboarding and managing student placements.

How the Pilot Program Works

The program provides for 170 student work placements over four cohorts, beginning in September 2024.

DigiBC’s Work Placement Office will work with creative tech employers and post-secondary institutions across the province to identify and advertise student opportunities within each cohort, and will help match students to meaningful work placements suiting their talents and interests.

Cohort 1

Cohort 1

September - December 2024

Cohort 2

Cohort 2

January - April 2025

Cohort 3

Cohort 3

May - August 2025

Cohort 4

Cohort 4

September - December 2025

How You Can Get Involved

If you’re a student who has dreamed of working on the next big video game, bringing characters to life in animation, or pushing the boundaries of visual effects and XR, we warmly encourage you to get involved. Watch for postings at your school, or get in touch through the button below.

And if you’re a creative tech employer looking to hire job-ready junior workers to build out your talent pipeline—all with the trusted support and structures of DigiBC—we know you’ll want to reach out to our Work Placement Office using the button below.

The program is designed to support creative technology-focused companies operating in BC. If your company works on video games, animation, visual effects, or extended reality, get in touch with our Work Placement Office to learn how you can benefit from the Work Placement Program. 

DigiBC’s Work Placement Office is here to help companies, schools, and students throughout their participation in the program. For employers, the WPO can assist with subsidy administration and facilitate the student recruitment process – to a degree tailored for each employer’s specific needs.

Yes. Students can work in-person, hybrid, or remotely within BC. An orientation workshop provided to all participating students will even provide training on effective work-from-home skills.

Standard work placements are 4 months (120 days), however placements can be extended to 8 months as long as this is permitted by the student’s academic institution and program.

Our Work Placement Office connects directly with student placement offices at schools across BC – to post placement opportunities, and provide school staff with additional information to understand and communicate the program to interested students. To learn more, get in touch with us today!

If you are currently enrolled in an ACE-WIL program and would like to secure a work placement in creative tech, you can find open opportunities posted through your school’s placement office. Postings will be clearly marked as part of DigiBC’s Work Placement Pilot Program. You can also reach out directly to our Work Placement Office to learn about upcoming opportunities and share your interest in the program!

In order to participate in the program, you must be enrolled in an ACE-WIL accredited post-secondary program, and be a Canadian Citizen, a Permanent Resident or a Protected Person as defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. All participants must be legally entitled to work in Canada.

We offer a variety of roles in the gaming, animation, VFX, and XR industries. Available roles may vary from cohort to cohort, but the following positions have been posted previously:

  • Junior Game Developer
  • Production Intern
  • Junior 3D Modeling Artist
  • Junior 3D/2D Animator
  • Junior 3D Artist
  • Junior CG Generalist
  • Junior Marketing Coordinator
  • Junior Graphic Designer
  • Junior Technical Designer
  • Junior QA Tester
  • Project Assistant

If you don’t see DigiBC opportunities listed on your school’s job board, it might be because our postings are still being processed, are listed under a different program category, or are not applicable to your school’s programs at the moment. We recommend reaching out to your co-op office or checking directly with us via email at wpo@digibc.org.

To be eligible, you must be a currently enrolled student at one of the 26 ACE-WIL institutions in British Columbia. In addition, you must be a Canadian Citizen, Permanent Resident, or with Refugee Status) Please ensure you meet these criteria before applying.

Yes, you are welcome to apply for multiple roles if you meet the qualifications and are interested in different positions. Be sure to tailor your application materials to each specific role.

Your portfolio should showcase your best work relevant to the position you are applying for. This could include projects, coursework, or personal work that demonstrates your skills in the specific areas.
Most roles are remote, but some positions may require occasional on-site work in locations such as Victoria or Vancouver, BC. Specific details will be provided in the job description or during the interview process.
The duration of each work placement can vary depending on the specific role and project requirements, but most co-op positions range from 4 to 8 months.
Yes, all work placements through DigiBC’s program are paid. Compensation details are listed on the job postings, and will be discussed further during the interview process.
After you apply, your application will be reviewed by DigiBC’s Work Placement Office. Selected candidates will be invited for a screening interview, followed by potential assessments or further interviews with the hiring team.
If you’re not selected, we encourage you to stay in touch for future opportunities. Our work placement aims to deliver 170 placements over the course of the program and would love to keep in touch for future openings in future cohorts. As we continue to help create more student placements, there may be other roles that align with your skills and interests.

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