Career Development

Career Development Internship (CDI)

Frequently Asked Questions

To support the implementation of the CDI credit, Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning has developed a number of resources for teachers/Career Development Internship (CDI) facilitators.

What are the eligibility requirements for a Career Development Internship (CDI)?

Students must be a minimum of 16 years of age and have successfully completed the pre-requisite of a Career Development Life/Work full- (1.0) or half- (0.5) credit course. Fulfilling these requirements will aid students in further developing their self-management, career awareness, and internship readiness skills.

How many CDI credits can a student earn?

The maximum number of CDI credits allowable in the calculation of a student’s Senior Years graduation requirement is two (2.0) credits.

A student may earn

0.5 credit CDI 35G or 1.0 credit CDI 30G
and
0.5 credit CDI 45G or 1.0 credit CDI 40G

What are examples of acceptable internships?

Examples of acceptable internships include the following:

  • hands-on experience at an internship site (e.g., business, government, not-for-profit, or volunteer organizations)
  • job shadowing a worker at an internship site
  • career mentoring with a worker at an internship site
  • career simulation activities at a community site for occupations where hands-on internship experience is not appropriate or available
Can students participate in a CDI with their parents?

Placing a student in a CDI with their parents or other relatives is generally not recommended, as the student will likely benefit more from experiencing new challenges, environments, and people.

Can a student be placed into two or more different placements?

A Career Development Internship is meant to be an in-depth and meaningful experience, which will often involve one placement. However, in some cases, two different placements may be appropriate. Decisions regarding the number of placements in which a student will participate should be made at the individual school level, and should consider the number and variety of placements available in the community, the breadth and depth of experience afforded by the available placements, as well as the student`s evolving needs and interests.

Where do teachers/CDI facilitators submit Work Placement Registration forms?

Work Placement Registration forms are submitted to tve@gov.mb.ca. The Work Placement Registration form must be submitted before students begin the internship placement.

How can teachers/CDI facilitators provide assurance to the on-site internship supervisor that a CDI student is provided with Workers Compensation coverage?

On-site internship supervisors should be provided with a Letter of Explanation to Work Placement Sitesexplaining the required criteria for coverage and providing them with the Workers Compensation Board’s firm number for Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning.

What is the procedure when a student is injured at an internship placement?
The Employers Incident Report must be submitted to tve@gov.mb.ca within five days of the incident. Detailed information may be found Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Work Placement website.
Where can teachers/CDI facilitators find the required and suggested forms and documents referred to in Career Development Internship Guidelines, 2017?

To support the implementation of the CDI credit, Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning has developed a number of resources for teachers/CDI facilitators. Please see the required and suggested documents and forms.

The forms and instructions required for Workers Compensation coverage can be found on the Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Work Placement website.

What is the assessment process for Career Development Internships?

The assessment of the student’s internship should consider the following:

  • the student’s performance at the internship site (as evidenced by the performance evaluations and conversations with the on-site internship supervisor)
  • assignments, artifacts, and reflections of CDI learning goals as agreed upon by the teacher/CDI facilitator and student

Some common assignments/assessment tools that students may submit include daily/weekly reflection journals, final reflection papers, and portfolios of work completed at the internship site. See suggested assignments/learning activities.

Students and teachers/CDI facilitators may be creative when structuring the CDI assessment plan. They may personalize it to the student’s unique learning style and internship experience.

Are suggested learning goals and assessment guidelines provided for the CDI?

CDI student learning goals and assessment guidelines may be designed by the school to help students

  • recognize and develop their strengths, interests, career aspirations, essential skills, employability skills, and transferable skills with respect to internship expectations
  • experience hands-on learning in or exposure to an authentic work environment
  • increase their knowledge regarding educational and career/life opportunities
  • use feedback from the on-site internship supervisor to assess and build on their workplace skills
  • use knowledge about their experiential learning opportunity to reflect on the world of work, lifelong learning, and their career/transitional planning

For more suggested learning goals and assessment guidelines, please see the CDI documents and forms.

What are the communication requirements in Career Development Internships?

It is recommended that teachers/CDI facilitators visit the internship placement twice during the CDI process. Regular contact with students and on-site internship supervisors will greatly improve the efficacy of the internship experience and facilitate personal and career growth. A sample communication template is available.


If you have questions that have not yet been answered, please let us know by contacting:

English Program

Skills, Technology and Career Development Unit
Learning and Outcomes Branch
Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning
1577 Dublin Avenue
Winnipeg, MB R3E 3J5
Telephone: 204-945-1037
Toll free: 1-800-282-8069, ext. 1037
Email: tve@gov.mb.ca

Français and French Immersion Programs

Bureau de l'éducation française
Telephone: 204-945-6916
Toll-Free: 1 800 282-8069, ext. 6916
Fax: 204 945-1625