Information last updated on September 30, 2020.
As part of the Government of Canada's Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), a variety of funding opportunities are available for employers to hire students for the purposes of experiential learning. You may be eligible to receive up to $7,500 in wage subsidies!
This funding is being administered by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) through 10 delivery partners.
SWPP scenario:
If you hire a student to work 35 hours a week at $18.00/hour for 16 weeks, normallly, your total cost for wages will be $10,080.
But with SWPP, your total cost would be $2,580!
Important Updates: SWPP funding has become temporarily more flexible.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has made temporary changes to the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) to make accessing funding easier, provide you with more flexibility and allow you to hire more students! These changes will be valid until March 31, 2021.
If you didn't qualify for funding before, you should consider it now! You may qualify for up to 75% in wage subsidies (to a max. of $7500) per co-op student you hire.
You may also consider using SWPP to hire more co-op students to assist with new projects and changes due to COVID-19. As an example, accessing funding through SWPP may provide you with the financial flexibility to hire four co-op students with the budget normally required for one.
SWPP eligibility changes (valid until March 31, 2021):
- Shortened work terms (8 – 16 weeks in duration) may now be eligible for SWPP funding.
- Co-op students can work from home.
- 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.
- "Net new" hire restrictions have been removed. All co-op students are now considered for funding (not just new roles or more students hired compared to the previous year).
Note: some exceptions may apply if you will be engaging a student as an independent contractor.
Are you eligible to apply?
This guide provides you with a general assessment of eligibility.
If you meet the following requirements, you will likely be eligible for SWPP funding.
Employer eligibility assessment
The employer is:
- A registered Canadian business or organization OR post-secondary education institution
- Not a federal or provincial government organization
- Financially capable to hire a student for a part- or full-time work term, pay them consistently and provide a meaningful work experience
Student eligibility assessment
The student is:
- A Canadian Citizen, permanent resident or a protected person defined by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
- Registered as a full-time student in a post-secondary institution program
- Not an international student requiring (or on) a work permit
- Not an immediate family member of the employer
Remember that final decisions lie with the SWPP funding partners. This is to provide employers with a guideline only
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: |
75% wage subsidy (up to a maximum of $7,500) |
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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 Fall 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: |
75% wage subsidy (up to a maximum of $7,500) |
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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 Fall 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) Canada – Co-op Program
For employers in Canada
| Amount: |
75% wage subsidy (up to a maximum of $7,500) |
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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 Fall 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 Fall 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: |
75% wage subsidy (up to a maximum of $7,500) |
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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: |
Applications for Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 are now open. |
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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: |
75% wage subsidy (up to a maximum of $7,500) |
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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 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 $7,500 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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Frequently asked questions
We've taken questions that we know our employers are asking and have consulted with our experts at Co-operative and Experiential Education to provide some helpful answers.
IS THERE A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STUDENTS I CAN HIRE AND RECEIVE SWPP FUNDING FOR?
No limit is set, however since funding is limited, SWPP partners reserve the right to limit your intake.
WHAT IS "NET NEW"?
NOTE: This eligibility requirement has been removed for the Spring 2020 and Winter 2021 work terms.
ARE INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM?
No, the program is only open to students with Canadian citizenship, permanent residents, or refugees with the right to work in Canada.
CAN A STUDENT I HIRE WORK FROM HOME?
Yes. Provided that the student meets all the eligibility criteria, the student can work remotely.
CAN I HIRE A STUDENT AS AN INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR AND STILL BE ELIGIBLE FOR SWPP FUNDING?
Possibly. However, SWPP partners prefer to subsidize students who are employees of the employer and may decline an application for a student hired as an independent contractor. Contact the SWPP partner for more information.
IS A RESEARCH POSITION ELIGIBLE FOR SWPP FUNDING?
Yes.
NOTE: You may stack provincial funding with SWPP funding but not other forms of federal funding.
For example: if you’ve already received NSERC funding for your co-op student, you will not be eligible for SWPP funding.
CAN I STACK FUNDING?
You may stack provincial funding with SWPP funding but not other forms of federal funding.
For example: if you’ve already received NSERC funding for your co-op student, you will not be eligible for SWPP funding.
WHAT IF A CO-OP STUDENT IS PARTIALLY PAID BY FEDERAL FUNDS? ARE THEY ELIGIBLE FOR SWPP FUNDING?
You cannot stack SWPP funding with other forms of federal funds. If a student’s wage is partially funded by federal funds, the remaining wage is not eligible for SWPP funding.
SWPP cannot be calculated on a portion of a student’s wage when some of that wage is federally funded.
If you already hire UWaterloo students, please contact your service team about any questions you have about SWPP by logging into WaterlooWorks and sending a message.
