Bridging Mechanisms

What is a student bridging mechanism?

The bridging mechanism is a staffing option provided to managers to facilitate the integration of students into positions in the federal public service after the completion of their educational program. The hiring of a student through the FSWEP, RAP or
Co-op/Internship programs may lead to temporary or permanent positions for which the student meets the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

When can I bridge a student and what type of staffing action can I use?

The bridging of students can occur through an internal or external appointment process. Students must have completed their studies prior to an appointment to a temporary or permanent position.

External appointment process

Beginning with the Fall 2008 FSWEP Campaign, as well as RAP advertisements, the following statement appears on all employment opportunities:

Successful completion of both your educational program and either an FSWEP or RAP work assignment may lead to temporary or permanent federal public service positions for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

Also, educational institutions have been advised to place a similar statement on all Federal Organizational Advertisements for the Co-op/Internship program. In addition, this new requirement was conveyed to the Canadian Association for Co-operative Education to ensure that all educational institutions include this statement on future employment opportunities.

Consequently, external appointment processes to bridge former FSWEP, RAP or Co-op students to temporary or permanent federal public service positions will now be considered as advertised appointment processes. However, for students whose FSWEP or RAP work assignments began prior to October 2008, and, in the case of Co-op/Internship programs, prior to January 1, 2009, the bridging process is still considered non-advertised.

Internal advertised appointment process

Working in conjunction with your organizational HR advisor, you must write the area of selection to include persons appointed under Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat approved student employment programs. Students may apply to internal advertised appointment processes only if they meet all of the following criteria:

• meet all criteria of the area of selection;
• be employed as a student under the FSWEP, RAP or Co-op/Internship programs on the date they apply;
• meet the qualifications outlined in the internal advertisement; and
• demonstrate that they are capable of completing their studies within the time frame indicated on the advertisement prior to appointment to a term or indeterminate position.