Student AffairsThere 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. Please refer to program webpages for most up-to-date information.
Ontario Programs
Provincial government tax incentives, funding, and programs for hiring young people are highlighted on the Government of Ontario website.
Federal Programs
Canada Summer Jobs
- Canada Summer Jobs offers federal funding opportunities 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.
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.
- A directory can be found on the federal government website.
The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)
- The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is a federal 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.
- For further information, visit the Employer Delivery Partners' websites listed below.
Important note: Queen's will sign delivery partner verification forms for eligible students enrolled in the Queen's Undergraduate Internship Program (QUIP).
For student placements or employers that have a biotechnology or healthcare focus
Funding will cover up to 50% wage subsidy (up to a maximum of $5,000). Students hired from under-represented groups may be eligible to have up to 70% of their wages subsidized. This is determined on a case-by-case basis at the end of each work term.
View the BioTalent Canada website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements in or connected to agriculture industry.
- 50% of the wages (to a maximum of $5,000) for each net new placement.
- 70% of the wages (to a maximum of $7,000) for each net new placement for under-represented groups including women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), Indigenous students, newcomers, and persons with disabilities, visible minority as well as first-year students
View the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council - AgriTalent website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements in the aviation and aerospace sector.
Employers could receive wage subsidies of up to 70% of the wage cost for each work term placement (up to a maximum of $5,000 in general and $7,000 for underrepresented categories per placement).
Visit the Canadian Council for Aerospace and Aviation website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements with employers in the production industry.
Visit the Canadian Media Producers Association SWPP website for full program details and deadlines.
For employers in or student placements connected to arts, media and culture.
SWPP reimburses eligible employers up to 50% of the student’s wages (maximum wage subsidy: $5,000 per placement), and up to a maximum 70% wage subsidy (maximum $7,000) for students confirmed to be part of a priority group.
Visit the Cultural Human Resources Council SWPP website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements in electricity industry (generation, transmission, and distribution) and for employers represented by EHRC.
- The standard subsidy reimbursement is 50% of the student’s gross paystubs, up to a maximum of $5,000.00 per placement
- The increased subsidy reimbursement is 70% of the student’s gross paystubs, up to a maximum of $7,000.00 per placement.
Visit the Electricity Human Resources Canada - Empowering Features Program website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements in the environmental sector.
This program offers eligible employers 50% wage coverage up to $5,000 of a student’s salary for a placement in a new full or part time 6 to 16 week position with a minimum of 180 hours.
Visit the ECO Canada website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements in manufacturing industry.
SWPP reimburses eligible employers up to 50% of the student’s wages (maximum wage subsidy: $5,000 per placement), and up to a maximum 70% wage subsidy (maximum $7,000) for students confirmed to be part of a priority group.
Visit the Excellence in Manufacturing - WIL Works website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements in any industry and employers who are registered Canadian businesses and non-for-profits. Some exceptions might apply.
Visit the FCCQ website for full program details and deadlines.
For employers in or placements connected to the Canadian food and beverage manufacturing industry.
SWPP reimburses eligible employers up to 50% of the student’s wages (maximum wage subsidy: $5,000 per placement), and up to a maximum 70% wage subsidy (maximum $7,000) for students confirmed to be part of a priority group.
Visit the Food Processing Skills Canada SWPP website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements that have a digital component.
SWPP reimburses eligible employers up to 50% of the student’s wages (maximum wage subsidy: $5,000 per placement), and up to a maximum 70% wage subsidy (maximum $7,000) for students confirmed to be part of a priority group.
Visit the Information and Communication Technology Council - WIL Digital website for full program details and deadlines
For student placements in any industry and employers who are registered Canadian businesses and non-for-profits. Some exceptions might apply.
SWPP reimburses eligible employers up to 50% of the student’s wages (maximum wage subsidy: $5,000 per placement), and up to a maximum 70% wage subsidy (maximum $7,000) for students confirmed to be part of a priority group.
Visit the Magnet Student Work Placement Program website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements in mining sector.
SWPP reimburses eligible employers up to 50% of the student’s wages (maximum wage subsidy: $5,000 per placement), and up to a maximum 70% wage subsidy (maximum $7,000) for students confirmed to be part of a priority group.
Visit the Mining Industry Human Resources Council - Gearing Up website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements in any industry and employers who are registered Canadian businesses and non-for-profits. Some exceptions might apply.
Visit the Ontario Chamber of Commerce - Talent Opportunities Program website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements with employers or positions that are tech-immersive.
SWPP reimburses eligible employers up to 50% of the student’s wages (maximum wage subsidy: $5,000 per placement), and up to a maximum 70% wage subsidy (maximum $7,000) for students confirmed to be part of a priority group.
Visit the Technation - Career Ready Program website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements in culinary, hospitality, recreation, and tourism.
SWPP reimburses eligible employers up to 50% of the student’s wages (maximum wage subsidy: $5,000 per placement), and up to a maximum 70% wage subsidy (maximum $7,000) for students confirmed to be part of a priority group.
Visit the TourismHR Canada - Propel Student Work Placement Program website for full program details and deadlines.
For student placements in the Canadian truck transportation and logistics industry.
SWPP reimburses eligible employers up to 50% of the student’s wages (maximum wage subsidy: $5,000 per placement), and up to a maximum 70% wage subsidy (maximum $7,000) for students confirmed to be part of a priority group.
Visit the TruckingHR Canada Student Work Placement Subsidy website for full program details and deadlines.
For Startup employers and their entrepreneurial projects in all provinces, excluding placements in Ontario.
Visit the Venture for Canada website for full program details and deadlines.
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 our QUIP webpage. For more information about the Co-Operative Education Tax Credit visit the Ontario Ministry of Finance, Co-operative Education Tax Credit website.