Saint Mary’s is pleased to announce that the Student Employment Initiative Program (SEI) will expand to include Canadian domestic student candidates in consideration for employment opportunities through Saint Mary’s.
The Student Employment Initiative Program is designed to assist students with disabilities in securing employment contracts, gaining volunteer experience, and developing their professional skills and competencies. The Program is a shared initiative between Career and Experiential Learning (CEL) and the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility (FSC), which aims to increase equitable access to employment, help bridge gaps in opportunities, and reduce barriers that students with disabilities may experience.
Previously, the Program was restricted to students and recent alumni (up to six months after graduation) who are permanent Nova Scotia residents and are registered through Nova Scotia Student Loans with a declared government-verified disability. However, the newly established CIBC Accessible Student Employment Program has enabled the SEI Program to expand to include Canadian student participants from other provinces and territories within the Program. Canadian students and recent alumni must be active, registered students with the FSC or have their disability documentation verified by the FSC.
In addition to support in securing employment and volunteerism opportunities, the Program provides accommodation assistance to create supportive and equitable work environments. Once enrolled in the Program, students are also provided with professional career guidance, working one-on-one with a CEL Career Coach and Career Counsellor to plan and prepare for career readiness during and after their studies.
Students gain work experience in the field
Opportunities include working on accessibility and inclusion projects
Visit the Student Employment Initiative Program to learn more or register with SEI. For information and resources on experiencing disability at Saint Mary’s, visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility.
For Employers
Offered year-round for part-time or full-time work placements, the Student Employment Initiative Program team collaborates with employers to create job postings that are inclusive and welcoming. Offering employers subsidized employment opportunities when hiring through the Program, registered businesses receive a 50% wage subsidy, while not-for-profit organizations may be eligible for up to a 75% wage subsidy. Funding also supports employers in any additional workplace accommodations required for the student to fulfill the role, such as adaptive technology, furniture, and more.
During the 2022-2023 academic year, the Program generated an outstanding 75 work terms – the largest in the Program’s history – and invested $3,600 in work term accommodations, assisting in making work environments more accessible for all. The Program nearly matched its record in the 2023-2024 academic year, generating 71 work-term placements.
To learn more or create an SEI-registered career posting, visit the Student Employment Initiative Program. For more information on creating inclusive, accessible work and study environments, read A guide for faculty and staff: five ways to support institutional accessibility or visit the Fred Smithers Centre for Student Accessibility.