Oakville tech company Geotab will double its annual internship positions to 360 next year as youth unemployment climbs to 14.2 per cent in Canada and 9.7 per cent in the United States, both well above national employment rates.
The connected vehicle solutions company announced the expansion on its 25th anniversary, increasing from an average of 180 intern positions annually. Over the past five years, Geotab has filled more than 1,000 student intern positions.
“If we want to shore up our economic opportunities, we must invest in the workforce, creating learning environments for young people to try, fail, navigate uncertainty and take risks,” said Neil Cawse, founder and CEO of Geotab.
The company is calling on other North American organizations to expand their internship programs as young graduates face an increasingly difficult job market marked by a cooling economy and fewer entry-level positions.
Program offers innovation challenges and mentorship
Geotab’s internship program includes an annual Innovation Challenge where student interns spend two weeks designing and presenting solutions aligned with the company’s focus areas: productivity, safety, fleet optimization, compliance, expandability and sustainability.
The company plans to launch a video series showcasing intern contributions to encourage other businesses to create similar programs. Interns also participate in a Student Experience Committee that provides peer-led networking and collaboration opportunities.
“Investing in young talent is not just the right thing to do; it’s a strategic imperative,” said Klaus Boeckers, chief people officer at Geotab. “Internships provide invaluable opportunities for young people to gain real-world experience, while simultaneously offering companies fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.”
Companies urged to expand intern programs
Geotab serves more than 55,000 customers globally and processes 80 billion data points daily from over 4.7 million vehicle subscriptions. The company works with Fortune 500 organizations, mid-sized fleets and large public sector fleets, including the U.S. federal government.
Boeckers said the company has seen how student innovation leads to product improvements and encourages other businesses to view internships as investments in their future workforce.
The May 2025 youth unemployment figures represent significant challenges for recent graduates entering the job market in both countries, with rates substantially higher than overall national employment statistics.
