There are a number of programs designed to offer financial relief to employers who hire current students or recent graduates. The list below is not comprehensive, but may help to point you in the right direction.
We update the information on this page as different programs become available.
Federal Programs
The Student Work Placement Program
The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is a federal wage subsidy program that provides wage subsidy to eligible employers who hire post-secondary students across Canada. The wage subsidy funding is delivered through Employer Delivery Partners, organizations and associations connected with various industries who are approved by government to coordinate the program. Employers who are a registered, Canadian business or not-for-profit are eligible.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Queen's will sign delivery partner verification forms for eligible students enrolled in the Queen's Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP).
Eligible employers may receive wage subsidy to cover the cost of a student’s salary by 50% up (to a maximum of $5,000) and 70% (up to a maximum of $7,000) for first-year students and under-represented groups (i.e. women in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM); indigenous students; persons with disabilities; members of a visible minority; and newcomers.)
Each delivery partner has unique eligibility criteria (for employers, students, roles) and timelines/deadlines. Student positions must meet the requirement of a Net NEW placement as defined by Employment and Social Development Canada (“ESDC”). For further information, visit the Employer Delivery Partners' websites listed below:
Biotalent Canada: For student placements or employers that have a biotechnology or healthcare focus
Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council - AgriTalent Program: For student placements in or connected to agriculture industry
Canadian Council for Aerospace and Aviation: For student placements in the aviation and aerospace sector
Canadian Media Producers Association SWPP
Cultural Human Resources Council SWPP: For employers in or student placements connected to arts, media and culture
ECO Canada: For student placements in the environmental sector
Electricity Human Resources Canada - Empowering Features Program: For student placements in electricity industry (generation, transmission, and distribution) and for employers represented by Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC).
Excellence in Manufacturing - WIL Works: For student placements in manufacturing industry
FCCQ: For student placements in any industry and employers who are registered Canadian businesses and non-for-profits. Some exceptions might apply.
Food Processing Skills Canada SWPP: For employers in or placements connected to the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing industry
Information and Communication Technology Council - WIL Digital: For student placements that have a digital component
Magnet Student Work Placement Program: For student placements in any industry and employers who are registered Canadian businesses and non-for-profits. Some exceptions might apply.
Mining Industry Human Resources Council - Gearing Up: For student placements in mining sector
Ontario Chamber of Commerce - Talent Opportunities Program: For student placements in any industry and employers who are registered Canadian businesses and non-for-profits. Some exceptions might apply.
Technation - Career Ready Program: For student placements that are tech-focused
TourismHR Canada - Propel Student Work Placement Program: For student placements in culinary, hospitality, recreation, and tourism
TruckingHR Canada Student Work Placement Subsidy: For student placements in the Canadian truck transportation and logistics industry
Venture for Canada: For Startup employers and their entrepreneurial projects in all provinces, excluding placements in Ontario
Canada Summer Jobs
Canada Summer Jobs is a federal funding opportunity for not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers (including Higher Education Institutions), and small businesses with 50 or fewer employees, designed to create summer job opportunities for young people aged 15 to 30 years, who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year. The applications for Summer 2022 are now closed. For more information, visit their website.
More Federal Government Wage Subsidies & Assistance Programs
The federal government offers wage subsidies and assistance programs, such as the Youth Employment Program, the Opportunities Fund for Persons With Disabilities, the Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit, and more. Directories can be found on the federal government website, here and on the Canada Business Ontario website, here.
Provincial (Ontario) Programs
Provincial government tax incentives, funding, and programs for hiring young people are highlighted on the Government of Ontario website here.
Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC)
Queen’s University’s Internship Program (QUIP) qualifies for the Government of Ontario’s Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC). If you are an Ontario-based employer you may be able to reduce your overall employment costs. For more information about hiring student interns, visit the QUIP website. For more information about the Co-Operative Education Tax Credit visit the Ontario Ministry of Finance, Co-operative Education Tax Credit website.