I really don't know, but I suppose if IG wants to sponsor your friend (i.e. provide a formal job offer), it shouldn't be difficult ot obtain a working permit. Of course HRDC will conduct an assessment on the offer, if approved, your friend can then apply to CIC with his/her working permit.
Here is what I found on CIC website:
The Job Offer
In most cases, employers must make a formal job offer before a foreign worker can apply for a work permit. Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) cannot issue a work permit without seeing this job offer. Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) also needs the information on the offer before they can confirm the job for a foreign worker.
As an employer, you can make the formal job offer with a written letter or with a more formal employment contract. The job offer must contain the following information:
* A job title for the job you are offering.
* A description of the job, listing duties and responsibilities.
* A list of education, skills and experience that workers must have for the job. Include a list of licenses and professional credentials.
* Details on when the job will start and end. Work permits are only issued for foreign workers who are coming to work in Canada for a limited time. If your workers are coming to live and work permanently in Canada, they must apply for permanent residence through the skilled worker program.
* Details of the salary you are offering, including wages and other forms of payment (for example: room and board or commission.) Remember that HRDC will check that the wages and working conditions you are offering are consistent with the Canadian labour market.
* The name and address of the employer, and the address where the foreign worker will be working. CIC and HRDC officers will check that your business and the job being offered are genuine. Include the name and phone number of a contact at your business who is familiar with the job offer so that CIC and HRDC can confirm the offer.
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/work/employer-2.html
I would talk to the person from IG who's willing to sponsor your friend, and ask that person to talk to their company lawyers about hiring a foreign student. Perhaps they can work out something to help your friend to get a work permit.