Can full time internship before graduation count towards work experience years?

[dastanmo]

I had worked for 2 years in Canada before graduation as part of my co-op program but it was a paid position.

I was not able to find a definition for "Work experience" that could be counted towards work experience years in Express Entry profile.

1) Can experience before graduation count towards this? I also have work experience after graduation so I do qualify under both FSW and CEC, but my question is if I can include those years of experience to boost my score?

Also, I worked at a company who's policy is to not issue reference letters and unfortunately I did not keep a record of my paystubs. I do have an email from my manager stating that he cannot issue reference letters since it is a company policy and I have my T4 from then. My offer letter does not mention the job duties. But a quick search on the internet resulted in a job posting my position that is open at the moment and that job posting has the job duties.

2) Would job duties found online be able to prove my experience there?

3) If I get an ITA, do I need to provide reference letters/job duties from all my employers? Because if not, then I could very well use this experience given experience before graduation counts.

4) Would you advice me to use this internship experience of mine? I do realize that using it makes the situation very complicated but at the same time it gives me a boost of 24 points and every point counts....

Apologies for such confused questions but I really appreciate your help. Thanks!

 

[arowberry]

1) Can experience before graduation count towards this? I also have work experience after graduation so I do qualify under both FSW and CEC, but my question is if I can include those years of experience to boost my score?

Work experience gained whilst studying is not eligible. The experience needs to have come following graduation.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=730&t=29
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=519&t=15

2) Would job duties found online be able to prove my experience there?

No idea what you're trying to ask.

3) If I get an ITA, do I need to provide reference letters/job duties from all my employers? Because if not, then I could very well use this experience given experience before graduation counts.
I would imagine so, but do not know for sure.

 

[mf4361]

3) You will need to provide refs for jobs that count for points (Those you put in EE profile at EOI stage)
You don't need references for jobs in "Work Declaration" forms at ITA stage (essentially that's all the work, be it eligible in EE or not), but CIC might still ask for it.

4) As @arowberry said, internship work does nothing to your points. But an internship experience appeals to companies and employers that are hiring and you stand a better chance in the fresh grad job market. As far as I'm concern for engineering grads, because more and more people come out of school with co-op/intern experiences, those who don't have that will find it really difficult in looking for jobs related field.