SWPP funding during the COVID-19 pandemic:
SWPP funding has become temporarily more flexible. If you didn't qualify in the past, you should consider applying now:
-NEW: "Net new" hire restrictions have been removed. All new co-op students are now considered for funding (not just new roles or more students than previous years).
- Can't hire a co-op student for the full four months but still want to hire? Shortened work terms may now be eligible for SWPP funding (i.e.: work terms that begin after May).
- Co-op students can work from home.
- SWPP partners are developing a pre-approval checklist so you can find out if you're eligible for funding before going through the hiring process.
- Post-secondary institutions now qualify for SWPP funding as long as the experience is a quality work-integrated learning opportunity that's linked to the student's program of study and career goals. This also applies to research positions.
NOTE: Any employer experiencing changes to a work term that's already been approved for SWPP funding should reach out directly to the appropriate SWPP funding partner immediately to communicate these changes.
Information last updated June 1, 2020.
Thinking of hiring a student?
You may be eligible to receive up to $7,000 in wage subsidies! Check out the 10 employer delivery partners below. Access this funding for your next co-op hire!
As part of the Government of Canada's Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), formerly known as the Student Work-Integrated Learning Program (SWILP), a variety of funding opportunities are available for employers to hire students for the purposes of experiential learning. This funding is being administered by Employment and Social Development Canada.
SWPP wage subsidy amount
Through SWPP, organizations within Canada that offer full-time employment opportunities between 12-16 weeks for full-time Canadian post-secondary students can receive wage subsidies:
- up to 50% of the wage cost for the placement (up to a maximum of $5,000 per placement) per student OR
- up to 70% (up to a maximum of $7,000 per placement) for under-represented students including first-year students, women in STEM, indigenous students, persons with disabilities and newcomers.
How can you access this funding to hire co-op?
There are a total of 10 delivery partner organizations that help distribute this funding.
You can apply for this funding through the SWPP delivery partners. Check out the info below!
General eligibility requirements
- Employers can hire students in any program (i.e.: Arts, Business, Science...etc.)
- However, students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents or a person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of employment to qualify for funding from SWPP
- Provincial and territorial governments are NOT eligible for SWPP funding
- Positions must be net new to qualify for SWPP funding (i.e.: positions over and above what employers hired last year at the same time)
All SWPP delivery partner info
BioTalent Canada
For employers within the biotechnology industry (or related projects)
| Amount: |
75% wage subsidy (up to a maximum of $7,500) |
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| Eligibility/Who Can Apply: |
Organizations in Canada looking to hire for roles related to biotechnology.
*Update - Healthcare organizations are now eligible to apply.
Click here for more information about terms, conditions and eligibilty
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| How to apply: |
Through their website, download and fill out the "SWPP Employer Application Package"
NOTES:
- Employers NEED to have a candidate before applying.
- Employers must hire the student first. Once a candidate is identified they will apply for funding. However, the candidate can't start their co-op until approval has been granted. It can take up to 10 business days to process an application.
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| Application deadline: |
Applications for all co-op placements starting before March 2021 are now being accepted. |
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| Contact: |
Benita
Email: buruhisho@biotalent.ca
Colleen
Email: chayes@biotalent.ca
Hannah
Email: hwalhad@biotalent.ca
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Canadian Council for Aerospace and Aviation
For employers within the aerospace and aviation industry
| Amount: |
Up to $5,000 - $7,000 per student (50-70% wage subsidies). Up to $7,000 is specifically available for under-represented groups including women in STEM, Indigenous students, newcomers, and persons with disabilities, as well as first-year students. |
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| Eligibility/Who Can Apply: |
Organizations in Canada working in the aerospace and aviation industry (cannot be a research position in a school lab).
Click here for more information about terms, conditions and eligibility.
|
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| How to apply: |
Complete and submit the employer application online: Employer Information Form - Student Work Integrated Learning Program
Don't have a candidate in mind? You can post your job on WaterlooWorks.
NOTES: Employers NEED to have a candidate before applying.
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| Application deadline: |
Applications for Summer 2020 are now open. |
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| Contact: |
Kethy S-K Sangaré
Phone: (613) 727-8272, ext. 261
Email: ksossokolle@avaerocouncil.ca |
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Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) – Empowering Futures
For employers within the electrical power sector
| Amount: |
Up to $5,000 - $7,000 per student (50-70% wage subsidies). Up to $7,000 is specifically available for under-represented groups including women in STEM, Indigenous students, newcomers, and persons with disabilities, as well as first-year students. |
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| Eligibility/Who Can Apply: |
- Firms whose primary activity is the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power
- Firms engaged in the manufacturing of equipment and the provision of services necessary to the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical power
- Firms engaged in supporting the sector including renewables, in any of the following areas: R & D, business development, energy efficiency, energy storage, electrical vehicle integration, smart cities.
Click here for more information about terms, conditions and eligibility.
|
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| How to apply: |
To qualify for the program, the company must be Canadian owned or a Canadian subsidiary and are part of the economic sector represented by:
- Ensure your organization meets all terms and conditions stated above;
- Complete an Employer Application Form and submit it along with a brief company description, and a description of the intended participant’s co-op position;
- Have candidate complete the 2018-2021 Participant Information Form.
- If you already have a participant in mind, please include the participant information form, participant’s resume and a copy of the participant’s proof of post-secondary enrolment, if available. (If submitting electronically, please do not include the participant’s date of birth and Social Insurance Number.)
- The application process from submission to approval takes an average of 5-10 business days.
NOTES:
- Employers DO NOT need to have a candidate before applying.
- Employers can be pre-approved for funding for 30 days.
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| Application deadline: |
Applications for Summer 2020 are now open. |
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| Contact: |
Sarah Jourson, Project Coordinator
Phone: (613) 235-5540 ext. 229
Email: jourson@electricityhr.ca |
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Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) of Canada – Co-op Program
For employers in Canada
| Amount: |
Up to $5,000 - $7,000 per student (50-70% wage subsidies). Up to $7,000 is specifically available for under-represented groups including women in STEM, Indigenous students, newcomers, and persons with disabilities, as well as first-year students.
NOTE: Eco Canada will not provide up to 75% of the wage subsidy up front. |
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| Eligibility/Who Can Apply: |
Organizations in Canada that are looking to hire students from science, technology, engineering, arts or mathematics (STEAM). Work terms must be at least 6 weeks long. Funding can be applied to part-time students as well as co-op students.
Click here for more information about terms, conditions and eligibility.
|
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| How to apply: |
Complete the form for "Host employers" on ECO Canada Wage Subsidy Program page.
NOTES:
- Employers NEED to have a candidate before applying.
- Funding needs to be approved before the student starts their placement.
|
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| Application deadline: |
Applications for summer 2020 are now open. |
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| Contact: |
coop@eco.ca |
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Information and Communication Technology Council – WIL Digital Subsidy
For employers within the technology sector (or related projects)
| Amount: |
75% wage subsidy (up to a maximum of $7,500) |
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| Eligibility/Who Can Apply: |
Eligibility requirements include:
- A registered business in Canada
- Company must be in the following sectors: intelligent retail, fintech, advanced manufacturing, entertainment and gaming, connected transportation, e-health, cybersecurity, big data, or clean tech
- Must offer a quality full-time position to a student
- Must have insurance
- Must be compliant with Human Rights and Labor legislation, regulations, and laws
- Must create a net new student position
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| How to apply: |
Visit ICTC's WIL Digital Program site to create an account to apply.
NOTES:
- Employers NEED to have a candidate before applying.
- Funding needs to be approved before the student starts their placement.
|
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| Application deadline: |
Applications for Summer 2020 are now open. |
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| Contact: |
wil_digital@ictc-ctic.ca |
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Magnet Student Work Placement
For registered Canadian business or non-profits
| Amount: |
Up to $5,000 - $7,000 per student (50-70% wage subsidies). Up to $7,000 is specifically available for under-represented groups including women in STEM, Indigenous students, newcomers, and persons with disabilities, as well as first-year students. |
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| Eligibility/Who Can Apply: |
Any registered Canadian business or non-profit organizations. Municipal governments are not eligible for funding.
Click here for more information about terms, conditions and eligibility.
|
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| How to apply: |
- Ensure your organization meets all terms and conditions stated above
- Complete an Employer Application Form and submit it along with information about your candidate and the job description
- Your student will also be asked to fill out their portion of the application form
- Magnet will review your application and reply within 2-4 weeks
NOTES:
- Employers MUST have a candidate before applying.
- Funding will be administered after receiving the final pay stub at the end of the placement.
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| Application deadline: |
Summer 2020 application deadline: August 31, 2020
NOTE: Due to the volume of applications received and the currently available funding, applications that are completed and approved going forward will be added to a waitlist. Magnet will continue to accept applications for the waitlist and they will notify all applicants should funding availability change. |
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| Contact: |
swpp@magnet.today |
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Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) – Gearing Up
For employers within the mining sector (or related projects)
| Amount: |
Up to $5,000 - $7,000 per student (50-70% wage subsidies). Up to $7,000 is specifically available for under-represented groups including women in STEM, Indigenous students, newcomers, and persons with disabilities, as well as first-year students. |
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| Eligibility/Who Can Apply: |
Organizations in Canada (small and large companies/post-secondary institutions/non-profit organizations) working in the mining or mineral exploration sectors are encouraged to apply. |
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| How to apply: |
Organizations must fill out and submit the Gearing Up Application Form to gearingup@mihr.ca. Applicants will know within 24 hours if their organization has been approved. Once approved, your organization will:
- Find a candidate (you'll be able to post a position on WaterlooWorks).
- Notify MiHR of your candidate and they will email the necessary documents for funding.
More information can be found on the Gearing Up applicant guide or on their Gearing Up Program page.
NOTES: Employers DO NOT need to have a candidate before applying.
|
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| Application deadline: |
Ongoing |
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| Contact: |
Priya
Phone: (613) 270-9696 ext. 63 |
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Technation (*Formerly known as ITAC) – Career Ready Program
For employers within the information and communications technology sector
| Amount: |
Up to $5,000 - $7,000 per student (50-70% wage subsidies). Up to $7,000 is specifically available for under-represented groups including women in STEM, Indigenous students, newcomers, and persons with disabilities, as well as first-year students. |
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| Eligibility/Who Can Apply: |
Organizations in Canada looking for employees with skills in the field of Information and Communications Technology.
Positions you are hiring for can fall under the following categories:
- Business Technology Management
- Computer Science
- Computer Systems Technology
- Computer Engineering.
Municipal governments are eligible for funding.
|
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| How to apply: |
Complete the online Employer Eligibility Assessment and submit it with the necessary documentation.
To access the application portal, please visit Technation's website.
NOTES:
- Employers NEED to have a candidate before applying. Only applicants that are able to submit information about the job and the student will be considered.
|
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| Application deadline: |
Applications for Summer 2020 (May - August) due: accepted on a rolling basis
Applications for Fall 2020: open June 15, 2020
|
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| Contact: |
careerready@technationcanada.ca |
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Toronto Finance International (TFI) - ASPIRE
For employers within the financial services sector
| Amount: |
Please note that ASPIRE does not offer any wage subsidies for employers.
ASPIRE offers a variety of resources including best practice guidance, student attractment support, brand building opportunities and industry/academic partnerships.
|
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| Eligibility/Who Can Apply: |
Organizations in Canada working in the financial services sector, including:
- Banks
- Insurers
- Pension plans
- Investment managers
- FinTechs
- Hedge funds
- Credit unions in Canada
|
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| How to apply: |
Request more information and apply on the ASPIRE Employer page.
NOTES: Employers DO NOT need to have a candidate before applying.
|
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| Application deadline: |
Ongoing |
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| Contact: |
Phone: (416) 933-6780
Email: aspire@tfi.ca |
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Venture for Canada - Internship Program
For startups or related entrepreneurial projects and innovation in Atlantic Canada, British Columbia and the Prairies
| Amount: |
Up to $5,000 - $7,000 per student (50-70% wage subsidies). Up to $7,000 is specifically available for under-represented groups including women in STEM, Indigenous students, newcomers, and persons with disabilities, as well as first-year students. |
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| Eligibility/Who Can Apply: |
Employers must:
- be a small to medium-sized business, start-up, social enterprise, nonprofit, or charity (1-500 employees)
- have their business located in Atlantic Canada, British Columbia and the Prairies
All industries welcome!
Employers can be from a wide range of industries from agriculture to robotics and anything in between.
|
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| How to apply: |
To join this program and access this funding, complete the application form on the Venture for Canada website.
NOTES: Employers DO NOT need to have a candidate before applying.
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| Application deadline: |
Ongoing |
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| Contact: |
Click here to send an email to Venture for Canada. |
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