The International Rural Exchange matches up trainees and hosts, and does paperwork that the trainee submits to the Canadian embassy in order to obtain their work permit. We do our best to match the skills of the trainee with the needs of the farm, and to take into account any special circumstances that either the trainee or host might have. Our office also has regular contact with hosts and trainees in order to ensure that placements are going well. In case of difficulty with the placement, we try to facilitate solutions that help both host and trainee. In the rare case that we have to move a trainee, we do our best to find the trainee a new placement. International Rural Exchange also provides opportunities for trainees to meet each other, including an April orientation seminar.
Hosts provide trainees with a welcoming atmosphere, room and board, regular access to the internet, Workers Compensation Insurance, and a wage. Hosts come with varying expectations and needs, but the ones that work out best in the long run have a sense of humour, an interest in learning about other cultures, and the ability to be patient and teach when needed. Farming is the most dangerous occupation in Canada, and at all times we want to keep safety and caution at the forefront.
Housing is often a room in the family home, but it can be in a secondary house on the yard, or a trailer. If a room is in the basement, it must have an exit window that is passable in case of a fire. Very occasionally, a trainee might be housed in a location off-site from the farm. In this case, special care must be taken to ensure that the trainee has sufficient contact with the family in order ensure a good quality cultural experience.
In most cases, we ask that at least 10 meals per week are with the family, especially in the busy times of seeding and harvest. In some cases, it is not practical for the trainee to eat with the family, but as is the case with off-site housing, special care must be taken to make sure the trainee has sufficient contact with Canadian culture (including food) to have a positive and welcoming experience.
Most trainees need access to a vehicle while they are in Canada. Trainees may occasionally use a host’s vehicle, but we do not recommend that unless you have checked with your insurance provider, as liability issues could arise if the trainee is involved in an accident. Some hosts help the trainee to find a low cost, reliable vehicle to use while they are in Canada. Other hosts own a “trainee car” that they lease to trainees for a monthly fee, but the trainee purchases the license and insurance for the vehicle. Again, this avoids potential liability issues.
Hosts can offer many experiences to trainees, and include them in activities such as family gatherings, community events, going for coffee, cottage or lake time, auction sales, trade shows, golf, rodeos, picnics and whatever special events there might be in your area. Different trainees have different interests, and different maturity levels. Trainees are at a very formative time in their lives, and at various times patience, forgiveness, or guidance might be needed.
Trainees come with a desire to learn, a willingness to work hard, and openness to learning about Canadian culture. Trainees come with varying amounts of experience. Sometimes they are highly skilled, other times they are still developing their skills. Trainees are required to have at least two years of farming experience of some sort. Many trainees are enrolled in university or agricultural technical schools in their home country.
The trainee is responsible for the cost of their airfare to and from Canada, (although the host is responsible for the cost and arrangements for picking the trainee up at the nearest airport). Trainees are also responsible for the cost of sufficient medical insurance for the duration of the time that they are in Canada. Sometimes, trainees are eligible for Provincial Health Coverage, but they must also maintain their private insurance.
The trainee wage is set by our Board of Directors and is based on provincial minimum wages. Normal payroll deductions must be taken off of the paycheque.
Trainees in Canada for at least 6 months are entitled to 3 weeks of unpaid holidays. Holidays are often taken in July, but it must be a mutually agreeable time for both trainee and host. Some hosts pay trainees during their holiday time, rather than paying overtime in each pay period.
Each calendar year, any host wishing to remain part of the host family association pays a $100 membership fee (plus GST). Then, for each trainee that is placed at your farm, you would pay a $950 (plus GST) placement fee. Please note that host families who have been with the organization longer will be offered trainees first.
You are not obligated to take a trainee that is offered to you. If you turn down a trainee, you might not be offered another one if we have a low supply remaining. You will only pay a placement fee if you accept a trainee. If you want to stay in the organization, but don’t want a trainee in a calendar year, simply pay the $100 membership fee to stay a part of the Host Family Association, so that you receive correspondence and updates from the organization, and retain your seniority within the organization.
If a host or trainee identifies problems to us, we first try to encourage good communication between host and trainee. If there are difficulties that cannot be solved in that way, someone from our staff speaks to both parties and tries to help find a workable solution to the issues that have arisen. If issues cannot be resolved, we help to coordinate the departure of the trainee from the farm, and make new placements when appropriate.
