Creating a Cleaner Future with Clean Interns

The Clean Foundation’s Clean Leadership Summer Internship program has once again come to a close, after another successful summer for all involved. The program provides paid employment opportunities for youth looking to gain skills and work within the clean economy.

For the fourth year in a row, Divert NS has partnered with the Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program, to recruit and employ passionate youth to Nova Scotia’s waste management sector. This summer, Divert NS funded 11 internship opportunities for youth across the province ranging from community-level waste diversion and education projects (NPF Community Organization Society) to regional review and promotion programs (Valley Waste-Resource Management).

One internship opportunity was with Halifax Solid Waste. Clean intern Meagan Wadden was hired as a Solid Waste Program Assistant, tasked with researching and developing resources to help businesses and event organizers make sustainable choices for single-use items within Halifax Regional Municipality.

When speaking about her summer in the program, Meagan said “The Clean Leadership Program provided me with the tools needed to take the next step toward a career in the environmental sector. This program also emphasized, to me, the variety of environmental career opportunities that exist. I am grateful for the support, connections, experiences, and opportunities I came across during this program that will continue to inspire my environmental career.”

As a result of the experience and knowledge gained during her internship, Meagan was offered full-time employment with Halifax Solid Waste as a Waste Resource Educator. Meagan will work with schools, businesses, and community groups to teach proper waste management and waste reduction strategies.

This summer, Divert NS staff had the opportunity to see Clean Leadership Interns in action! Taking a trip to Valley Waste-Resource Management, Divert NS staff met Clean Intern Mel Gilhuly-Melanson. Mel spent her summer working as the Solid Waste Analyst, auditing curbside waste from businesses across the Valley region. The data she analyzes plays a crucial role in shaping future services at Valley Waste-Resource Management.

All the Clean Leadership Interns developed their communication, critical thinking, and organizational skills while contributing to waste management projects that have a positive environmental impact. To learn more about how you can gain skills and experience in the clean economy through the Clean Leadership Summer Internship program, visit www.cleanfoundation.ca