MiHR — Gearing Up (Mining Sector Student Work Placement)

Insider Tip

Apply before the student placement starts — retroactive claims are not accepted. Gearing Up is open for the 2026-27 fiscal year and has created over 2,500 WIL opportunities to date. Multiple placements can be funded in the same fiscal year; submit a separate application per student. The program encourages participation by underrepresented groups (women in STEM, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, recent immigrants, first-year students, visible minorities), but this does not change the subsidy amount — plan on a $5,000 per-placement maximum for every student.

Rejection Pitfalls 6

• Application submitted after the student placement has already begun (retroactive claims not accepted)
• Employer does not operate in the mining or mineral exploration sector
• Student is not enrolled at a Canadian post-secondary institution

Success Profile

Mining and mineral exploration companies of all sizes looking to build their talent pipeline through student co-op or internship placements. Particularly strong fit for companies operating in remote areas where university partnerships are important for talent attraction. Non-profits and educational institutions running mining-related programs also eligible.

Evaluation Criteria

Entitlement-style program — eligible employers who apply before placement start date and meet all criteria are approved subject to budget availability. No competitive scoring. Key checks: employer sector eligibility (mining/mineral exploration), student eligibility (enrolled, Canadian status), placement meets minimum duration and hours, and application submitted before placement begins.

Application Steps

Required Documents 5

Eligible Expenses 2

• Student gross wages for the WIL placement period (reimbursed up to the $5,000 per-placement maximum)
• Mandatory employer contributions (CPP, EI) may be partially included depending on current program guidelines

Ineligible Expenses 4

• Wages for non-student employees
• Equipment, supplies, or overhead for the placement
• Training costs not directly part of the WIL placement
• Wages for positions that are not net-new (replacing an existing employee is ineligible)

Intake Periods

Rolling intake throughout the fiscal year (April–March). Currently accepting applications for 2026–27 fiscal year. Apply before placement start date; earlier applications face less budget competition.

Deadline Notes

Gearing Up accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the fiscal year. Apply before the student placement begins — retroactive applications are not accepted. Winter 2026 cycle: apply before placement end date. Check portal.mihr.ca for current deadline. Program extended through at least 2026-27 fiscal year.

Open Application Portal →

Ineligible Organizations

• Employers outside the mining or mineral exploration sector
• Government departments and Crown Corporations
• Organizations replacing existing employees with subsidized student positions

Compatible Programs

Clawback Risk

Low Risk

Low clawback risk — subsidy is reimbursed after placement completion. If the placement does not meet minimum requirements (duration, hours, student eligibility), MiHR may reduce or deny reimbursement. No ongoing obligations after the placement period.