Funding opportunities for workplaces
Work-integrated learning is an engaged partnership between community partners, post-secondary institutions and students that better equips students with practical experience and also benefits the workplace, by providing skilled talent to tackle projects, build capacity and fill any gaps in staffing. It’s also a great way to recruit and develop future workers.
If you’re considering hiring a work-integrated learning student for your organization, you may be eligible for one or more of the following Federal and BC funding resources.
All the details in a PDF
If you’re considering hiring a work-integrated learning student for your organization, you may be eligible for one or more Federal and BC funding resources, including grants and wage subsidies.
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This resource document contains funding sources that align with MATCH organizations (museums, arts, tourism, culture, and hospitality) and includes information regarding the application periods for those sources.
(Updated Sept., 2022 to include an Appendix highlighting funding to hire International students.)
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BC Programs
The School Works Co-op and Apprentice Wage Subsidy programs are open to businesses, non-profit and First Nations organizations, and public bodies with business headquarters located within the Columbia Basin Trust region. The Apprentice Wage Subsidy supports hiring apprentices for full-time employment to complete their first-level work-based training requirements with an $8/hour wage subsidy, and... Learn more »
The PICS Internships program provides support for the hiring of university students at the workplaces pursuing climate change mitigation and adaptation research, planning or implementation. Workplaces can be governments, NGOs, industry and communities in BC. Eligible students must be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate or graduate program at one of the four PICS partner institutions: UVIC, UBC,... Learn more »
The British Columbia SR&ED Tax Credit program is designed to encourage research and development in British Columbia that will lead to new, improved, or technologically advanced products or processes. The tax credit is available to qualifying corporations that carry on scientific research and experimental development in B.C. before September 1, 2022 and must be claimed no later than 18 months... Learn more »
Federal Programs
Through the Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP), Canadian small and medium-sized businesses can receive funding and other supports to increase their innovation capacity and take ideas to market. Funding is available through technology innovation projects and youth employment strategy programs for incorporated, profit-oriented businesses in Canada with under 500 employees planning to... Learn more »
The Mitacs Accelerate program provides support for research partnerships including funding for internships. Organizations partner with academic researchers to develop a project proposal, and must provide a financial contribution of at least $7,500, which is matched by Mitacs. Projects can include multiple interns and span multiple terms. Interns spend about half the term on site working on the... Learn more »
The Mitacs Business Strategy Internship (BSI) program provides support for businesses and nonprofits to implement innovation focused business strategies, which includes funding for internships. Organizations partner with am academic supervisor to develop a project proposal where interns provide technical expertise on everything from operations to finance, to marketing, to intellectual property,... Learn more »
Canada Summer Jobs provides funding to help small businesses, public sector employers, and non-profit organizations to hire students under the age of 30 during the summer term. Funding is available to approved employers for up to 50 per cent of minimum wage for private companies and public sector employers, and up to 100 per cent of the minimum wage for non-profit organizations. Applications are... Learn more »
Canada Green Corps provides support for internships with organizations that are committed to the green economy and contribute to Canada’s commitments on climate and environment. Eligible employers can include non-profit organizations, governments, Indigenous organizations and private companies. This opportunity is not for existing students - interns must be recent students or graduates eligible... Learn more »
Federal SWPP and Employer Partner Organizations
Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)
The Federal Government’s Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) offers the Student Work Placement Program to create quality work-integrated learning opportunities for students who will be better positioned to secure employment in their field of study.The program provides up to 50% (to a maximum of $5,000) of a work term student’s pay in wage subsidies to employers.
Employers that hire students from underrepresented groups including women in a STEM program, Indigenous students, recent immigrants, persons with disabilities, and first-year students may qualify for funding up to... Read More »
BioTalent Canada is focused on the growth of Canada’s bio-economy, such as bio-health, bio-energy, bio-industry and agri-biotech. Positions must have a biotechnology focus, or the employer must have a biotechnology focus. For students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business programs.
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Growing Opportunities will support positions in the agriculture industry for agriculture and non-agriculture students. Eligible employers include registered Canadian businesses, not-for-profit organizations from the agriculture industry and post-secondary institutions. Positions can include co-op placements, internships, field placements, or applied projects to solve particular problems for... Learn more »
The CCAA works to create work-integrated learning placements in the aviation and aerospace sector. There must be an industry component – the focus of the subsidies is hands-on experience, so a research-only position does not qualify. For students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business programs. Employers do not need to be members of CCAA.
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The CMPA’s National Mentorship Program has invested in the next generation of independent producers—and a strong future for our industry—by placing aspiring producers in Canada’s leading production companies. Employers must be members.
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The Cultural Human Resources Council is a national not-for-profit arts service organization working with all cultural industries and disciplines in the sector including Digital Media (Content Creators); Film and Television; Live Performing Arts; Music and Sound Recording; Visuals Arts and Crafts; Writing and Publishing; and Heritage. Eligible employers must be a Canadian cultural sector employer,... Learn more »
The Empowering Futures Program is aimed at the electricity industry where the primary activity is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity, as well as sector support including renewables, research and development, business development or energy efficiency. For students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business programs.
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ECO Canada’s program works with employers and post-secondary partners to help students kick-start their career path in the environmental sector, and for employers to hire the brightest minds in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business.
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The WILWorks program supports Canada’s manufacturing related sub-sectors and supply chain employers (e.g. North American Industry Classification - NAICS codes 31-33). The WILWorks program will support hiring student talent through internships, co-op placements, practicums or applied research projects, in either direct or indirect roles. Eligible students can be enrolled in any program.
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The Food Processing Skills Program supports employers in the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing industry to hire students in colleges and universities across the country, across all educational categories from food science to business, engineering and quality assurance.
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ICTC’s WIL Digital program aims to develop talent for the emerging ICT sectors. Funding is open to targeted sectors as well as those with a position directly involved in the development or implementation of emerging technology. Students must be enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business.
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Magnet brings together employers, students, and post-secondary institution stakeholders to create quality work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities. Registered Canadian businesses or non-profit organizations are eligible for funding. Students from all post-secondary programs are eligible.
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Gearing Up is aimed at Canada’s mining sector with a goal to change the way students in mining-related post-secondary programs perceive, pursue and acquire skills needed for mining careers. Employers must be involved in mining or mineral exploration, post-secondary institutions or non-profit organizations. For students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math (STEM) and Business... Learn more »
Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) is designed to help employers located anywhere in Canada hire college and university students on work placements. Employers must be a registered Canadian business or not-for-profit organization and may operate in any industry sector. Students from all post-secondary programs are eligible.
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Career Ready supports businesses that provide meaningful work opportunities that build technical capacity. For students enrolled in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business programs.
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The Propel program can be accessed by businesses from all facets of the visitor economy: accommodations, food and beverage services, recreation and entertainment, transportation, and travel services. Tourism/hospitality employers and/or job functions related to tourism/hospitality are eligible.
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Trucking HR Canada advances modern HR solutions for the trucking and logistics workforce. Opportunities must be directly related to the student’s program of study and/or fulfill a trucking or logistics job.
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Venture for Canada is open to all industries/sectors, including social enterprises, non-profits, charities and start-ups. Employers are required to provide an internship opportunity that allows entrepreneurial-minded students to contribute to new initiatives or add new value to your organization.
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