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
- 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 November 1
- 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.
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:
- SWPP funding covers 50% of the wages (up to a maximum of $5,000) for every student hired through the program.
- SWPP funding covers 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, visible minorities, newcomers and Indigenous students.
- Wages for the position cannot be funded by another federally funded program, but can be combined with non-federal funding.
- The placements to be funded in a particular government fiscal year will be "Net New" - the net incrase of placements above the baseline year.
Application processes and deadlines differ, but generally, employers should apply for funding before students start their work terms.
Guidelines on calculating "Net New"
"Net New" is determined by subtracting the number of students hired by an employer in the fiscal year before they first participated in the SWP Program, from the number of students that the employer is intending to hire in the current fiscal year, including those already hired. The baseline number attributed to an employer creating a new placement will be maintained throughout their participation in the SWP Program.
For example, if your company hired three students in the fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) before applying for funding under the SWP Program, then your company must intend to hire four students in this fiscal year to qualify for a subsidy for the fourth student.
To determine "Net New" value for a particular fiscal year, you will need the following:
1) The number of paid student placements that your organization had in a fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) before first participating in the SWP Program.
- For employers that accessed SWP funding for the first time in 2017, 2018 or 2019, use the original baseline year (a fiscal year is from April 1 to March 31) before first participating in the SWP Program
- For employers that accessed SWP funding for the first time in 2020, use 2019
- For employers that accessed SWP funding for the first time in 2021, use the lesser of 2019 or 2020 number of paid student placements
2) The estimated number of students the your organization intends to hire within the current fiscal year of April 1 to March 31 (including the ones already hired).
The number of placements to be funded in a particular fiscal year will then be the net increase of placements above the baseline year.
What employers are eligible?
Registered Canadian businesses or non-profit organizations are eligible. Post-secondary institutions are not eligible for funding.
What students are eligible?
Students must:- be registered in a post-secondary program that includes work integrated learning;
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person with refugee protection given under the law; and
- be legally able to work in Canada according to the laws and regulations of the province or territory where they live
- be hired as employees, not as independent contractors
- consent to releasing employment information to the funding delivery partner and the government of Canada.
SWPP delivery partners - by sector
There are eighteen employer delivery partners, listed below by sector. Several partners 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.
Federal and provincial funding opportunities summarized by ACE-WIL
Funding, grants and wage subsidies summarized by the BC Chamber of Commerce
Innovator Skills Initiative (ISI)
The Innovator Skills Initiative program provides up to $10,000 to help BC employers hire underrepresented people in tech or tech-related roles. Employers can receive up to 10 grants for 10 different employees each year.
Grant stacking opportunities
It is possible to stack funding from the Innovator Skills Initiative program with Federal funding. The program has partnerships with two federal funding programs:
- ICTC: WIL Digital + Innovator Skills Initiative Program Connect
- Mitacs Accelerate: Business Strategy Internships
Learn more about Innovator Skills Initiative funding or read the Program Guidelines.
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.
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
Digital Lift Internship Program
Get Youth Working
Project Learning Tree Canada
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
IRAP Youth Employment Program
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.
Science Horizons Youth Internship Program
The Science Horizons Youth Internship Program provides wage subsidies to eligible employers across Canada to hire university, college and polytechnic graduates for internships in the environmental science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Up to $25,000 in funding for wage subsidies and up to $5,000 in funding for skills development, training, and wrap-around services are available to eligible employers. Internship opportunities lasting 6 to 12 months provide youth hands-on experience working on environmental projects.
Program funding is aimed at employers in the environmental science, technology, engineering and mathematics sectors.
The funding is offered through the following delivery organizations:
BioTalent Canada – biosciences sector
Clean Foundation – green solutions in energy efficiency, water health, waste reduction and sustainable transportation; based in Atlantic Canada
Colleges and Institutes Canada – association promoting research into climate change and other environmental challenges
ECO Canada – environmental sector
Electricity Human Resources Canada - Canadian electricity sector
The United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) - civil society organization with the mandate to educate and engage citizens on the work of the United Nations including climate change, natural resource management, clean technology development and contributing to environmental sustainability.
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.