Funding for employers
Many employer funding opportunities are available to help organizations hire students. Students can also apply for student funding opportunities to help with various work term costs, which may also benefit the employer.
Funding changes in response to COVID-19: Many funding programs have adjusted their requirements in response to COVID-19 in order to increase opportunities for employers and students. Updates are listed within the individual funding sections below.
Resources to help employers hire students
We've listed a range of funding opportunities, including funding to hire UVic co-op students as well as other students and graduates.
UVic funding to support hiring UVic co-op students
These funding opportunities are part of UVic's Strategic Framework Experiential Learning Fund (SF-ELF). Students can also access additional funding opportunities through this fund.
Co-operative Education Not-For-Profit Wage Subsidy Program
Who can apply
Through this funding, employer organizations who hold charity or not-for-profit status may be eligible for a wage subsidy to cover a portion of the cost of hiring a co-op student for a co-op work term (up to a maxiumum of $5,000).
Half of the funding will be provided to the employer at the end of the first month of the work term. The rest of the funding will be provided after the employer has completed the final competency assessment.
How to apply
- Not-for-profit organizations must work with their UVic co-op coordinator to review the guidelines and discuss eligibility (outlined on the application form)
- If eligible, not-for-profit organizations will complete the application form together with their co-op coordinator
- The co-op coordinator will then submit the application for consideration
When to apply
The application deadline varies per term.
- January - April work terms: 4:30 p.m. on November 1 (extended to December 1 for 2019)
- May - August work terms: 4:30 p.m. on March 1
- September - December work terms: 4:30 p.m. on July 1
Indigenous Co-operative Education Wage Subsidy Program
Who can apply
Through this funding, Indigenous community organizations may be eligible for a wage subsidy to cover a portion of the cost of hiring a co-op student for a co-op work term (up to a maxiumum of $5,000).
Half of the funding will be provided to the employer at the end of the first month of the work term. The rest of the funding will be provided after the employer has completed the final competency assessment.
How to apply
- Indigenous community organizations must work with their UVic co-op coordinator to review the guidelines and discuss eligibility (outlined on the application form)
- If eligible, Indigenous community organizations must complete the application form together with their co-op coordinator
- The co-op coordinator will submit the application for consideration
When to apply
The application deadline varies per term.
- January - April work terms: 4:30 p.m. on 4:30 p.m. on November 1 (extended to December 1 for 2019)
- May - August work terms: 4:30 p.m. on March 1
- September - December work terms: 4:30 p.m. on July 1
Funding to hire co-op students through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)
The Government of Canada's Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) supports partnerships between employers and post-secondary education (PSE) institutions to create more work placements for students enrolled in post-secondary studies across Canada.
SWPP information and student eligibility
Originally set up to help post-secondary students in science, technology, engineering, math (STEM) and business programs get work experience, the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is now open to students in most post-secondary programs.
NOTE: See the section below on "Temporary changes in response to COVID-19" for the most current information about funding opportunities.
What is the SWPP?
The SWPP program provides funding in the form of wage subsidies to employers that offer quality work to post-secondary students:
- Usually, SWPP funding would cover 50% of the wages (up to a maximum of $5,000) for every student hired through the program. Shortly, in response to COVID-19, SWPP funding will cover 75% of the wages - up to a maximum of $7,500 - for every student hired through the program.
- Usually, SWPP funding would cover 70% of the wages (up to a maximum of $7,000) for every student hired that is in their first academic year or is from an under-represented group including women in STEM, persons with disabilities, newcomers and Indigenous students. Shortly, in response to COVID-19, SWPP funding will cover 75% of the wages - up to a maximum of $7,500 - for every student hired through the program.
- Wages for the position cannot be funded by another federally funded program, but could be combined with non-federal funding.
Application deadlines differ, but generally, employers should apply for funding before students start their work terms.
What employers are eligible?
Registered Canadian businesses or non-profit organizations are eligible, including post-secondary institutions (post-secondaries have been added in response to COVID-19).
What students are eligible?
Students must be:- registered in a post-secondary program that includes work placements;
- a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person with refugee protection given under the law; and
- legally able to work in Canada according to the laws and regulations of the province or territory where they live
Temporary changes in response to COVID 19
As a response to COVID-19, SWPP has made the following changes to its requirements. These changes will be in place until March 31, 2021:
- The SWPP program provides funding in the form of wage subsidies to employers that offer quality work to post-secondary students: the amount of coverage will shortly increase to 75% of the wages (up to a maximum of $7,500) for every student hired through the program. This increase will be prorated for placements that are underway when the change takes effect. This page will be updated as more information becomes available.
- SWPP now allows for flexibility in the start date and overall duration of the work term as long as the post secondary institution approves.
- Students can now work from home; this was previously not permitted. The work term still needs to be a quality WIL experience for the student.
- Employers may be offered a portion of the wage subsidy up front to help the employer offset the student’s wages.
- Where not already available, a pre-approval process is to be implemented by all SWPP providers so that employers will know sooner if they are eligible for the grant.
- Post-secondary institutions can apply for SWPP through any of the 10 funding partners. Applied research projects will be considered but the more that the position can demonstrate the WIL opportunity for the student, the more likely it will be approved.
NOTE: Some individual delivery partners have made additional changes to requirements in response to COVID-19. Changes are under delivery partner descriptions below.
SWPP delivery partners - by sector
There are ten employer delivery partners, listed below by sector. Both Magnet and Venture for Canada are open to employers in any sector. Eligibility and application processes vary across partners. Please see specific websites and contacts for more information.
Funding for co-op work terms
BC Arts Council's Co-op Placement Program
The BC Arts Council's Co-op Placement Program assists arts and cultural organizations to hire students for professional work experience through co-op placement and work-integrated learning programs.
Organizations can apply for up to $10,000 for one term or $20,000 for two terms. All of the funding received will go towards the wages of the student.
Learn about eligibility and deadlines.
BC Tech Co-op Grants
Hiring a student for a co-op work term? Apply to receive a grant of up to $5,000!
NOTE: Due to high demand and funds available for the program, Innovate BC is no longer processing new applications for the BC Tech Co-op Grants Program for the remainder of their program year (April 2021). They will update us if they are able to re-open the waitlist.
The BC Tech Co-op Grants Program provides up to $5,000, almost a 50% subsidy, towards a co-op student’s salary. The program is designed to help employers who are hiring young talent and to introduce students to tech-related careers. BC businesses benefit from co-op students’ fresh ideas and readiness to learn, while students gain work experience and valuable business and technical skills.
Changes related to COVID-19: In response to the challenges resulting from COVID-19, flexible working conditions (i.e., remote work) and placements of less than 16 weeks are permissible as long as they meet the requirements of the co-op office.
Grant stacking opportunities
Below is a list of Canadian hiring programs that have confirmed that companies can stack BC Tech Grants with theirs such that the total grant amount may cover 100% of the student's salary. Please be reminded that the combined value of grants cannot exceed the student's salary.
- BioTalent
- ECO Canada
- Electricity Human Resources Canada
- ICTC
- Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR)
- Technation
- Venture for Canada (VFC)
Learn more about your eligibility for a BC Tech Co-op Grant.
Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions funding
School Works: Co-op Wage Subsidy Program
Funding for summer co-op work terms
Canada Summer Jobs
Hiring a student for the summer? Canada Summer Jobs provides funding to help employers create summer job opportunities for students. It's designed to focus on local priorities while helping both students and their communities.
Employers can apply for this funding through Service Canada (check this website for application dates and deadlines). The application period typically runs from early January to early February, but please refer to the Service Canada website for specific dates.
Changes in response to COVID-19:
The Canada Summer Jobs call for applications for the 2020 season closed on February 28, 2020. In response to the economic impacts created by the COVID-19 situation, the Government of Canada will work with Members of Parliament to identify organizations that provide essential services in the community and could provide youth jobs but did not apply for the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2020.
The temporary changes to the program for this year include:
- an increase to the wage subsidy, so that private and public sector employers can also receive up to 100 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage for each employee. In previous years, private and public sector employers were only eligible to receive a wage subsidy of up to 50 per cent of the provincial or territorial minimum wage.
- an extension to the end date for employment to February 28, 2021
- allowing employers to adapt their projects and job activities to support essential services
- allowing employers to hire staff on a part-time basis
Canadian Heritage - Young Canada Works
First Nations and Inuit Summer Work Experience Program
This program provides youth with summer employment opportunities where they can gain work experience and develop important skills such as communication, problem-solving and teamwork.
The First Nations and Inuit Summer Work Experience Program is part of the First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy.
Funding for research co-op work terms
National Research Council Canada – Industrial Research Assistance Program
NSERC Experience Awards (discontinued)
NSERC’s Experience Awards (previously Industrial Undergraduate Student Research Awards (IUSRA) offered companies access to talented natural sciences and engineering undergraduate students for a work term.
This program was discontinued in January 2019, as NSERC is designing a new, modernized and improved Research Partnerships program. As a result, the NSERC Experience Awards program is being discontinued. No further Experience Awards applications are being accepted. Commitments for existing awards will be honoured.
Additional funding information provided by the Government o Canada can be found through Innovation Canada's Concierge Service.
Mitacs Accelerate BC
Interested in pursuing a joint research project with UVic? Through Mitacs Accelerate BC, you can hire a graduate co-op student to spend half of a four-month work term researching a topic of interest to the student, their faculty supervisor and your company.
Mitacs Accelerate BC and you, the employer, will both contribute $7,500 for a four-month work term. The student will spend half the work term at your workplace and the other half at UVic, where they’ll work on research under the guidance of the faculty supervisor.
Mitacs Accelerate BC is a chance to expand your company’s research and development, foster a deeper relationship with UVic and help out future collaborative projects. To learn more about Accelerate and its eligibility conditions, contact your co-op office or visit Mitacs Accelerate.
COVID-19 update: An expedited approval process and leverage funding model for COVID-19-related research projects has been announced. For a limited time, SMEs responding to COVID-19 can incorporate a research internship with a reduced contribution of $3,750 for a $15,000 award.
Scientific Research and Experimental Development Tax (SR and ED) Incentive
The following funding opportunities may be available to employers hiring engineering, computer science and math/stats students:
Funding to support hiring youth
Get Youth Working
Project Learning Tree Canada
New Ventures BC ISI Grant
- The Innovate BC ISI grant program offers up to $10,000 a year to BC-based companies to hire non-co-op post secondary students.
- Tech company or tech-focused non-profit hiring for a business or tech role or a business or non-profit hiring for a tech role (new!).
- Internships are eligible.
- The grants are $1000 - $5000 and must be matched in full by the tech company.
- Students must be currently enrolled part time or full time or be taking a term off (such as summer term).
- International students are eligible.
- The grant is stackable with other funding, up to 100% of the student's salary.
Find out more about this program at newventuresbc.com
Funding programs for employers in Alberta, Manitoba, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan
Alberta Temporary Employment Program (STEP)
- For small businesses (1-49 employees), non-profits, libraries, school boards, municipalities, First Nations, Métis Settlements, and publicly-funded post-secondary institutions
- Students must be residents of Alberta and meet other specified criteria.
Manitoba STEP Services
- The official student employment placement service for the government of Manitoba
- Students must be attending school and meet other specified criteria
Future Ready NB
- For employers: in New Brunswick with fewer than 50 employers (100% wage subsidy) or more than 50 employees (up to a 50% subsidy). The hourly wage varies but is typically $14/hr or less.
- Students must be registered as full-time students or approved by the institution.
- Eligible roles: Quality experiential role
- Contact and application information:
- Apply here and provide the necessary documentation
- Email: info@futurereadynb.ca
Saskatchewan Student Summer Works (SSW)
- For eligible employers operating in Saskatchewan in the Sports and Recreation Sector, Cultural Sector and Environmental Sector
- Students must be residents of Saskatchewan and meet other specific criteria
Resources to help employers hire graduates
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Career Focus Program
Career Focus provides funding to organizations for the creation of agricultural internships that provide career-related work experiences for recent graduates.
- each year, employers must apply between November 1 and November 30 for their project to be considered
- if approved, projects can start on or after April 1 of the following year
- approved projects will be eligible to receive 50% of total eligible costs, up to a maximum of $20,000 in matching funds
- applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis as long as funds are available. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early
BC Employer Training Grant (ETG)
The B.C. Employer Training Grant (ETG) provides up to $8 million in funding for employers to support skills training for their current and new employees in the fiscal year 2018/2019.
This program is designed to assist employers in providing skills training to new or current employees that will develop skills and certification, upgrade skills needed due to automation and enhance productivity.
Career Launcher Internships - Government of Canada
The Career Launcher Internships program is funded by the Government of Canada as part of the Youth Employment Strategy.
Employers can reeive up to $30,000 to hire skilled graduates.
Clean Leadership Professional Internship wage subsidy program - Clean Foundation
Clean Leadership’s professional internship stream, proudly funded through Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Science Horizons Program, is a wage subsidy initiative to help recent graduates from college or university acquire work experience in STEM (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) positions with an environmental focus.
The program provides a wage subsidy (to a maximum of $15,000) to help employers anywhere in Canada hire the talent they need and help increase the supply of highly qualified professionals in the environmental sector. Internships must be completed by March 31st, 2020 and the ideal end goal of the program is for the intern to be hired on full-time or decide to return to academia to further their studies in the STEM field.
Funding is limited, so be sure to visit their website to apply as soon as possible.
Employment and Social Development Canada - Career Focus
Environment and Climate Change Canada with ECO Canada - Science Horizons Internship Program
The Science Horizons Internship Program provides up to $15,000 in wage funding for green jobs in STEM which aim at establishing and growing a clean, safe, and sustainable environment for all of Canada.
Eligible roles fall within Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, are full-time, permanent* and have a positive environmental impact. *Placements typically last 8-12 months and are intended to lead to permanent employment. Eligible candidates are currently 30 years of age or younger, unemployed or underemployed, graduated from a recognized post secondary institution with a 4 year degree or 2 year diploma, and are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or refugee.
Eligible employers are Canadian owned or a Canadian subsidiary or a Municipal or Provincial Government Department. They are hiring for a new, environmentally-related position in STEM.
Questions?
coop@eco.ca, Toll-free: 1-800-890-1924
Program page: Wage Subsidy Program to hire Environmental Students
Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada - Digital Skills for Youth Program
Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) provides up to $20,000 in wage subsidies to small businesses and not-for-profit organizations to help them hire underemployed recent post-secondary graduates. The funding makes possible meaningful work experience for new graduates to help them transition to career-oriented employment. Funding is available from a range of delivery partners and also allows for up to $4000 towards extra training for the graduate.
National Resources Canada - Green Jobs - Science and Technology Internship Program (STIP)
To help young Canadians get started in a green career, Natural Resources Canada is investing more that $16 million to create 1,200 jobs through our Green Jobs - Science and Technology Internship Program (STIP), part of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment Strategy.
Funding is available for both students and employers through this program. Learn more.
WorkBC Wage Subsidy Program
Young Canada Works
The Green Spaces program provides a wage subsidy for eligible employers who hire summer work placements in parks and natural settings across Canada.
The program is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Summer Work Experience Program, in partnership with the United Nations Association in Canada.