Young Women in Public Safety (YWPS) - A Career Exploration Program
If you're a young woman in university, college or CEGEP, check out the amazing opportunities to explore possible career options in the field of safety and security in the Federal government.
About the program
In May 2027, Public Safety, its Portfolio partners and other security organizations will welcome a cohort of young women through the Young Women in Public Safety Program, providing university, college and CEGEP students with opportunities to explore potential career paths in the safety and security sector.
The program aims to:
- Address the gender disparity between women and men in the industry, and;
- Increase awareness about the wide range of career possibilities available to women in these fields.
During this program, participants will have the unique opportunity to explore the diverse and impactful work of the safety and security organizations participating in the program. Meaningful interactions and hands-on experiences will provide a glimpse into daily operations and the professionals who help make a difference every day. Organizations participants may interact with include:
- Public Safety Canada (PS)
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- Correctional Service of Canada (CSC)
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
- Communications Security Establishment (CSE)
The 2027 program is taking place in Ottawa (ON), Montreal (QC), Kingston (ON), Edmonton (AB) and Surrey (BC).
Participants may be surprised with all of the exciting jobs opportunities the safety and security field has to offer! Examples include:
- Correctional Officer
- Intelligence Analyst
- Policy Analyst
- Corporate Security Officer
- Cyber Security and Security Intelligence Officer
- Emergency Management Officer
- Science and Technology Researcher – and more!
Choose from three options
The YWPS Program offers three options for applicants, each designed to provide meaningful learning experiences and career development opportunities. Two of the three opportunities offer paid work experiences for candidates. Participants are welcome to apply to all three options, if interested.
Option 1: National Safety and Security (Policy/Programs) - Paid
Spend two (2) exciting days meeting experts from Canada's national security community – (May 3 to 4, 2027).
Discover careers across the following organizations:
- Public Safety Canada (PS)
- Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS)
- Communications Security Establishment (CSE)
Option 2: Public Safety Operations (Front-line/Policing) - Paid
Spend three (3) exciting days exploring front-line public safety organizations (May 5 to 7, 2027).
Participants will explore careers within the following organizations:
- Correctional Service Canada (CSC)
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
- Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
Participants will visit organizations, learn about their mandates, hear from professionals working in the field, and gain valuable insights into career opportunities in national security.
Option 3: Virtual Networking Event - Not Paid
Interested in learning more about careers in public safety and security? Join a complimentary virtual networking event featuring presentations, breakout sessions, and opportunities to connect directly with hiring managers, ask questions, and learn more about careers in the public safety and security sector.
Date to be confirmed.
What participants will gain
Participating in the Young Women in Public Safety Program offers:
- Exposure to the diverse careers available within Canada's public safety ecosystem.
- Networking with successful, influential female leaders in the field.
- A 'behind the scenes' look at day-to-day operations through a mix of presentations and interactive activities.
- Informed choices about your career goals.
Your participation in the program through the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) opens the door to future Government of Canada employment opportunities.
Eligibility: Who can apply
If you meet the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) criteria and answer "yes" to each point below, we want you to apply!
- Do you identify as a woman?
- Are you attending university, college or CEGEP in Canada?
- Are you interested in working in the field of safety and security?
- Are you passionate about helping people?
- Do your skills and/or interests align with public safety work?
How to apply
Choose the experience(s) that is/are right for you and follow the application instructions below.
Options 1 and 2: National safety and Security – Policy / Programs and Public Safety Operations – Front-line / Policing
The FSWEP application will be posted in October under Specialized inventories for a period of four weeks. Don't forget to self-declare as a woman when submitting your application to be considered.
Option 3: Virtual Networking Event
Registration is separate from the paid experiential options above.
Registration details will be available soon.
Testimonials
Hear from other young women about their experiences with the Young Women in Public Safety Program.
Participating in The Young Women in Public Safety Program was truly a valuable experience. I got the unique opportunity to visit various government institutions, learning about different roles, and got the chance to ask any questions I had. I really enjoyed all the presentations and activities, and I also got the chance to speak to professionals in each department. It was an educational experience that revealed many aspects of public safety I hadn't known before, and sparked my interest in a potential career in this field! (like forensic analysis). My highlights were visiting CSIS, the RCMP forensics and finger identification labs, and learning about CBSA operations. The program leaders and other participants were so lovely and supportive, and many of us came out of the program with new friends! I highly recommend this program to anyone with some curiosity and looking to explore new career options.
YWPS is a program I didn't know I needed until I stepped into the conference room on the first day! The warm welcomes and numerous presentations allowed me to delve into the ins and outs of various careers—some of which I didn't even know existed! This week has reshaped my thinking, making me more open-minded and confident about the various options available in Public Safety. It will continue to impact my life decisions by empowering me to learn and grow. I'm immensely grateful for this opportunity, and I urge everyone to apply! In addition to the unique experiences, meeting extraordinary individuals and creating memories, this program kept me on my toes. From visiting CBSA at the airport to shadowing forensic scientists at the RCMP, it caters to all interests and will inspire you to revisit your path. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—APPLY!
The Young Women in Public Safety program opened my eyes to so many career opportunities. There is such a variety of jobs in the Public Safety field; some of the opportunities that interested me the most were dog handlers at the airport with Border Security, or working in a lab with the RCMP. It was also eye-opening to see just how many people work in Public Safety, and how much effort it takes to keep Canada safe (we often take our country's safety for granted). This program helped me find confidence in my future. It's completely game changing to be invited to the table with the professionals, and to have them speaking personally to you. The prospect of your career as you're just emerging from high school is extremely daunting, but being able to see behind the scenes helps it seem much more approachable. The program team is such an amazing and encouraging group of women and I'm so thankful that I got to learn from them and from all the other awesome people we visited over the course of the week!
Participating in the 2024 Young Women in Public Safety program was an enriching and eye-opening experience. The opportunity to connect with experts and explore various careers within public safety and security was invaluable. Among the most appreciated moments were the visits to departments such as the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), where I observed their daily operations and gained firsthand insights into the field. This program has significantly influenced my future career choice by broadening my understanding of public safety roles and inspiring me to pursue a career in this dynamic and impactful sector.
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