Federal Student Work Experience Program

Closing date: September 14, 2026 - 23:59, Pacific Daylight Time

Veterans Affairs Canada

Location

Canadian National Vimy Memorial and Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, France (International)

Job type

Full-time

Salary

$18.84 - $21.60 per hour and $30.00 daily living allowance

Number of jobs

16

Contact information

[email protected]

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Find out about rates of pay

FSWEP eligibility criteria

What you will gain

Veterans Affairs Canada employs students for approximately 4 months, 3 sessions a year. You will be working as a guide at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial, both located in northern France. Join us and you will get to:

- live and work in France;
- develop your public speaking and presentation skills;
- represent Canada as a youth ambassador;
- meet visitors from around the world;
- discover Canada’s rich military history.

What you will do

As a student guide, you will be responsible for:

- giving guided tours to groups on preserved battlefields and underground tunnels, in both official languages;
- explaining the Canadian military history and answering visitors’ questions on the sites, local attractions and points of interest in the region.

Note:

- You will work in a natural outdoor setting and may encounter small wildlife, such as squirrels and sheep.
- You will at times give tours of the preserved underground tunnels, so you must be comfortable working in confined spaces for a short period of time.

Duration: Winter 2027

Guides: January 18, 2027, to May 13, 2027

Returning Guides: January 11, 2027, to May 13, 2027

There is a possibility of re-employment.

What we are looking for

- You meet the FSWEP eligibility criteria.
- You are a post-secondary student.
- You possess excellent public speaking skills.
- You are fluent in both official languages (English and French).*

- Note: This means that you are able to provide detailed descriptions on complex topics,



summarize discussions effectively, and clearly express and support your opinions in your second official language. Second language proficiency will be assessed during the interview stage.

If screened in for an interview, you will be asked to provide two (2) letters of reference from a supervisor, teacher or community leader who has worked with you previously who can vouch for your ability to represent Canada overseas. References must not be related to candidates.

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who meet the job requirements.

Operational requirement

Valid Canadian driver's license with no restrictions related to a Graduated Driver Licensing program.

Conditions of Employment

Successful students must provide copies of the following documents prior to the employment start date:

- Valid passport for travel to France.
- Confirmation of current full-time student status in a recognized post-secondary institution (with Registrar's seal) and a signed attestation confirming the intent to return to school on a full-time basis in the next academic term.
- Valid work visa for France. Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the French Republic.
- Valid First Aid Certificate.
- Valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR).
- Valid Canadian driver's license with no restrictions related to a Graduated Driver Licensing program.
- Valid international driving permit.

Successful students must also be willing and able to:

- wear and maintain a uniform;
- work variable schedules (shift work, weekends, statutory holidays and overtime);
- operate a government vehicle in Europe,



with passengers, as required;
- stand and walk over uneven terrain for a long period of time, in various weather conditions.

Additional information

- You are strongly advised to consider all necessary medical arrangements and ensure health insurance prior to departing for France.
- If you choose to live in the housing subsidized by Veterans Affairs Canada, you must sign a Rental Agreement and agree to have the monthly rental sum of $300 deducted from your pay monthly (approximately $150 per cheque)
- All successful students must arrange and pay for their own travel, including all other related costs.
- Upon successful completion of the work assignment and a satisfactory evaluation, you may be eligible for a partial reimbursement of your actual airfare costs (up to CDN $1000.00).

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you .

At every step, from the application process to the end of the assessment process, accommodation measures or adjustments are available to you.

Tell us what you need. Examples include accessible environments, different formats, larger fonts, adaptive technology, extra time, individual testing, and more. Any information you provide regarding accommodation will be kept confidential.

Accommodation measures are designed to remove barriers to a fair assessment and allow candidates to fully demonstrate their competencies.

To request accommodation measures or adjustments, and for any questions about the process or the position, please contact us at [email protected].

If you are passionate about history and are interested in this unique prospect, please submit your application.

Deadline to : September 14, 2026

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📌 Student Guide Program in France (Winter 2027) (Canada)
🏢 Government of Canada
📍 Canada