Deadline to apply: May 19, 2026
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 to:
- give guided tours to groups on preserved battlefields and underground tunnels, in both official languages;
- explain the Canadian military history and answer 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 amount of time.
Duration: Fall 2026
Guides: August 10 to December 11, 2026
Returning guides: August 3 to December 11, 2026
There is a possibility of re-employment.
What we are looking for
- You are a post-secondary student.
- You possess excellent public speaking skills.
- You meet the FSWEP eligibility criteria.
- You are fluent in both official languages (English and French).
Note: This means that you are able to provide detailed descriptions on various complex topics, summarize a discussion, and express as well as support your opinions in your second official language.
If you meet the above requirement, please ensure that your answer to the question “What is your working ability in Canada’s official languages?” is: Bilingual - English and French
If you love history and would like to explore the possibility of this unique opportunity, submit your application.
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 documentation, including a passport, for travelling to and working in 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 year.
- Valid work visa for France. Please refer to the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the French Republic concerning Youth Mobility for additional information.
- Valid First Aid Certificate.
- Valid Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate (CPR).
- Valid Canadian driver's license with no restrictions related to a Graduated Driver Licensing program and a 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
Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare in your application if you belong to an Employment Equity group.
Note: Preference will be given to candidates with Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
You are strongly advised to consider all necessary medical arrangements and ensure proper and adequate health insurance prior to departing for France.
Living arrangements and expenses
- 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).
Accommodation measures
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 vac.guideprogram-programmeguides.acc@veterans.gc.ca
Deadline to apply: May 19, 2026
