Summer stories at Northwestel: Growing student talent through STEP

Every summer, Northwestel proudly welcomes students through the Student Training and Employment Program (STEP), a Government of Yukon initiative that connects students with full-time work placements from May through September. By pairing classroom learning with paid experience, STEP gives Yukon students the chance to build skills, earn competitive wages and contribute to employers across the territory, including Northwestel.

At Northwestel, STEP roles span Engineering, Finance, Digital Marketing, Community TV, Business Analysis, and Carrier Services teams. These aren’t ‘just summer jobs‘, they are real projects that help our teams deliver the services Northerners rely on.

Why it matters to us

This program reflects Northwestel’s belief that local talent is one of the greatest resources in the North. Many former STEP students have returned to join our teams and continue their journeys here, bringing fresh ideas and perspectives that redefine how we connect communities.

Imran Khan, CFO & Vice President of Corporate Services at Northwestel, says it best: “At Northwestel, we are a team. We work with each other. We make each other better. And we strive to provide a better place for the North to connect.”

This year’s highlights

In 2025, our students helped launch digital campaigns, supported engineering and infrastructure projects, advanced Northwestel’s QA automation efforts, and even directed and edited Community TV productions.  

Beyond their work, they built friendships, learned resilience, and embraced the Yukon lifestyle - from coding and field surveys to high-fives at mini-golf tournaments.

Watch our STEP 2025 recap video to hear directly from the incredible students who joined our team this summer: 

A season of growth

As summer wraps up and students head back to school, we’re proud of what they’ve accomplished. Beyond the technical skills, STEP students brought their creativity, curiosity, and determination to everything they worked on. They leave with more than resume lines; they leave with stories of teamwork, growth, and confidence for their futures.

Want to learn more about student opportunities with Northwestel? Keep an eye on the Yukon Government’s STEP program page and our careers page.