The Student Work Placement Program pays 50% of a college or university student’s wages, up to $5,000 a placement, through one of 9 delivery partners. The partners pay the same way and differ in who they accept.
What it pays, worked out
| The placement | Wages | Subsidy |
|---|---|---|
| $17.20 × 35 h × 12 weeks | $7,224 | $3,612 |
| $20.00 × 35 h × 12 weeks | $8,400 | $4,200 |
| $22.00 × 35 h × 16 weeks | $12,320 | $5,000 |
| $25.00 × 40 h × 16 weeks | $16,000 | $5,000 |
50% of the wages you pay, capped at $5,000 a placement (Venture for Canada allows two consecutive terms). In Ontario, the co-op tax credit sits on top: for 16 weeks at $22 an hour, $7,214 in total from Canada Summer Jobs plus Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit.
The 9 delivery partners
| Programme | What it pays | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Student Work Placement Program: one delivery partner per placement (9) | ||
| ICTC: WIL Digital Program (Tech Sector Student Work Placement)College or university students on a work-integrated placement. Any employer; the role must be digital or technical | 50% of the student’s wages, up to $5,000 per placement | Canada-wideOpen |
| TECHNATION Career Ready ProgramCollege or university students on a work-integrated placement. Any employer; the role must use technology in some capacity | 50% of the student’s gross earnings, up to $5,000 per student | Canada-wideOpen |
| Ontario Chamber of Commerce Talent Opportunities Program (TOP)College or university students on a work-integrated placement. Any industry, any province; the placement must be part of the student’s study plan | 50% of wages, up to $5,000 per placement | Canada-wideOpen |
| Venture for Canada Internship ProgramCollege or university students on a work-integrated placement. Under 500 employees; pay at least $18.00 an hour; an innovation or entrepreneurial role | 50% of wages, up to $5,000 per student per term (up to two consecutive terms) | Canada-wideOpen |
| BioTalent Canada: Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)College or university students on a work-integrated placement. Biotech, bio-economy or healthcare employer, or a role with that focus | 50% of the student’s wages, up to $5,000 per placement term | Canada-wideOpen |
| EHRC: Empowering Futures (Electricity Sector Student Work Placement)College or university students on a work-integrated placement. Electricity-sector employers | Up to $5,000 per placement; the employer must pay at least half the salary | Canada-wideOpen |
| MiHR: Gearing Up (Mining Sector Student Work Placement)College or university students on a work-integrated placement. Mining and mineral exploration employers | Up to $5,000 per placement (the share of wages it covers is not stated in our record) | Canada-wideOpen |
| ECO Canada: Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)College or university students on a work-integrated placement. Environmental-sector placements tied to a STEAM or Business program | 50% of the student’s salary, up to $5,000 | Canada-wideOpen |
| Propel Student Work Placement ProgramCollege or university students on a work-integrated placement. Tourism and hospitality employers, or a tourism/hospitality role | 50% of gross wages (tips and commissions excluded), up to $5,000 per placement | Canada-wideOpen |
Hiring money is one corner of it. What else does your business qualify for?
Grants, tax credits and loans are matched on your business, not on who you hire. The eligibility map checks 850+ programs and ranks what fits.
Questions owners ask
Can I combine the Student Work Placement Program with Canada Summer Jobs?
No. The same placement cannot draw funding from two delivery partners, or be combined with another federal program such as Canada Summer Jobs.
Can international students be funded?
No. The student must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person with refugee protection.
Which delivery partner should I use?
They pay the same way (50% up to $5,000). Choose on who accepts your role and sector, and when their term opens: ICTC and TECHNATION for digital or technology roles, BioTalent, EHRC, MiHR, ECO Canada and Propel for their sectors, and the Ontario Chamber’s Talent Opportunities Program for any industry, in any province.
The full calculator checks all 32 hiring programmes at once: hiring subsidy calculator.