Hiring a co-op student or intern for the summer can be affordable! Here are job grants, incentives, wage subsidies and other funding opportunities specific to it.
Yes, we know there's still snow on the ground, but if you snooze on these funding opportunities, you may miss out on $5000+ for hiring a full-time student this summer.
Information last updated: January 6, 2021
Canada Summer Jobs program during the COVID-19 pandemic:
Temporary changes to the Canada Summer Jobs program will continue to support employers and youth for 2021.
These changes include:
- an increase to the wage subsidy, so that funded private and public sector employers can also receive up to 75% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee (previously, they were only eligible for up to 50%).
- allowing employers to offer job placements between April 26, 2021 and February 26, 2022 (previously, all funded positions had to be completed during the summer months).
- allowing employers to adapt their projects and job activities if the proposed project is impacted by COVID-19 restrictions after an agreement is signed (all changes must be approved by Service Canada).
- allowing employers to hire staff on a part-time basis (previously, all funded positions had to be full time for a minimum of 30 hours per week for at least 6 weeks).
Please note: some exceptions may apply if you will be engaging a student as an independent contractor.
Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)
75 - 100% wage coverage
Canada Summer Jobs has been administered by the federal government for many years now to help young people find meaningful work by providing wage subsidies to employers.
| Employer eligibility and funding: | To be eligible to receive subsidies to hire, your organization must be a:
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| Student eligibility: | To be eligible to receive subsidies to hire, your organization must hire a youth:
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| How to apply: | For more information on eligibility and to complete an application, please visit the Government of Canada website. |
| Application deadline: | Applications open from December 21, 2020 to February 3, 2021. |
Provincial Summer Funding Opportunities
Funding available for your summer hires
Check out various summer funding opportunities specific to provinces across Canada.
| Province/Territory | Funding Opportunity | Application Deadline | Link for more information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | Summer Experience Program | CLOSED for summer 2021 | Visit the Government of Ontario website |
| New Brunswick | Student Employment Experience Development (SEED) | CLOSED for summer 2021 | Visit the New Brunswick Jobs website |
| Newfoundland/Labrador | Student Summer Employment Program (Newfoundland/Labrador) | CLOSED for summer 2020 | Visit the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador website |
| Nova Scotia | Energy Training Program | CLOSED for summer 2021 | Visit the Government of Nova Scotia website |
| Nova Scotia | Student Summer Skills Incentive | CLOSED for summer 2021 | |
| Manitoba | Summer Student Recovery Jobs Program *NOTE: this program is specifically COVID-19 related |
CLOSED for summer 2020 | Visit the Government of Manitoba website |
| Manitoba | STEP Services | CLOSED for summer 2021 | Visit the Government of Manitoba website |
| Yukon | Yukon STEP Program | CLOSED for summer 2021 | Visit the Government of Yukon website |
Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations
Up to $8,000 per student
Young Canada Works (YCW) is another program that's available to all organizations across Canada.
| Employer eligibility and funding: | An employer may be eligible for funding if it is:
An employer is not eligible if it is:
Maximum funding per position (for all employers) is between 25% - 75% of employment costs up to a maximum of $8,000 per job |
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| Student eligibility: | A student is eligible if they:
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| How to apply: | For more information on eligibility and to complete an application, please visit this website. |
| Application deadline: | Annually in mid-January |
Young Canada Works in Both Official Languages
Up to $8,000 per student
Young Canada Works (YCW) is another program that's available to all organizations across Canada.
| Employer eligibility and funding: | An employer may be eligible for funding if it is:
An employer is not eligible if it is:
Maximum funding per position (for all employers) is between 25% - 75% of employment costs up to a maximum of $8,000 per job |
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| Student eligibility: | A student is eligible if they:
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| How to apply: | For more information on eligibility and to complete an application, please visit this website. |
| Application deadline: | Annually in early February
(Applications submitted after this date will be dealt with on a first come first serve basis and based on the availability of funds.) |
United Nations Association in Canada: Green Spaces
50% cost and wage subsidy
Green Spaces is a wage matching funding opportunity. They provide employers with wage subsidies to enable them to hire youth interested in the Green Economy.
| Employer eligibility and funding: | To be eligible to receive subsidies to hire, your organization must be a:
UNA-Canada offers a wage subsidy (approximately 50%) for the duration of your Green Spaces participant’s employment at your organization. |
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| Student eligibility: | All students interested must apply by completing an application on the Green Spaces webpage. To be eligible to receive subsidies to hire, your organization must hire a student that is:
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| How to apply: | For more information on eligibility, please visit the Green Spaces website.
If you are interested in hiring a Green Spaces participant, please contact a Regional Co-ordinator closest to you.
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| Application deadline: | No deadline to apply (but there is limited funding)
2 cycles of funding throughout the year. Work placement must be between:
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