Where to get funding

Considering hiring a work-integrated learning student for your organization?
You may be eligible for one of the following funding resources.

COVID-19 funding updates

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have announced changes to many of these funding programs in order to support businesses, not-for-profits and community organizations. This means more funding, faster access to the funding and more flexibility.

Since the specifics continue to change rapidly to adapt to these unusual circumstances, we recommend that you contact each funding organization directly for the most current requirements and opportunities.

For more support with COVID-19, please visit our COVID-19 Resource page.

Innovate BC announces funding changes
The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on organizations of all types – especially when it comes to employment opportunities. We want to help B.C. companies by highlighting some opportunities that might help B.C. businesses looking to hire in the coming months. Read More »
New SWPP Measures
UPDATED as of July 20, 2020. Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) joined CEWIL on Monday, April 6 to announce some temporary flexibility measures for Federal SWPP funding, to be delivered through existing SWPP partners. These measures are expected to be in place until March 2021.... Read More »
Federal Government announces support for students and new grads affected by COVID-19
The Federal government announces support for post-secondary students and recent graduates by launching the Canada Emergency Student Benefit ($1250/$1750 per month), a new Canada Student Service Grant ($5000) and expanded programming to create up to 116,000 jobs, placements and training... Read More »

Funding opportunities for workplaces

All the details in a PDF

Get Funding - Program Details
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. Learn more »
Get Funding - COVID-19 Updates
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, governments have announced changes to funding programs which means more funding, faster access to the funding and more flexibility. These are the latest updates, as of June 1, 2020. Learn more »

BC Programs

BC Arts Council: Co-op Placements
The Co-op Placements program assists arts and cultural organizations that have previously received grants through the BC Arts Council or are an Indigenous Government, Friendship Centre, or Métis Chartered Community offering dedicated arts and culture programs or projects where the scope of work of the Co-op or Work-Integrated Learning student would focus on these activities. The assistance level... Learn more »
Columbia Basin Trust - School Works
Through the School Works Co-op and Apprentice Wage Subsidy programs, businesses, non-profit and First Nations organizations, and public bodies with business headquarters located within the Columbia Basin Trust region can apply for age subsidies. Apprentice Wage Subsidy supports hiring apprentices for full-time employment to complete their first-level work-based training requirements with an... Learn more »
Innovate BC - Tech Co-op Grant
Get up to $20,000 per year in funding to hire co-op students through the Tech Co-op Grant, which is available for technology-based companies looking to grow or a non-tech company, organization or non-profit hiring for a tech role. Each employer is eligible to receive a maximum of four grants each per program year valued at $5,000 each, to recruit and train between one to four distinct co-op... Learn more »

New Ventures BC – Innovator Skills Initiative Grant
Get up to $10,000 per year in funding to hire students through WIL programs (not including co-op), such as internships and work placements. Eligible employers are tech companies or tech-focused non-profits hiring for a business or tech role, or a business or non-profit hiring for a tech role. Employers must also be able to provide entrepreneurial and skills training to the student. Applications... Learn more »
Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS)
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, SFU... Learn more »
Canada Revenue Agency - Scientific Research & Experimental Development Tax Credit
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 for 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

National Research Council Canada - Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP)
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 »
Mitacs-Accelerate
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 »
Service Canada – Canada Summer Jobs
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 »

United Nations Associations in Canada (UNAC) - Canada Green Corps
Funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada, 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 -... 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 70%... Read More »
Student Work Placement Pr...

BioTalent Canada
BioTalent Canada is an association focused on growth of Canada’s bio-economy. To qualify for funding, either the position needs to have a biotechnology focus, or the employer needs to have a biotechnology focus. Sectors include bio-health, bio-energy, bio-industrial and agri-biotech. Opportunities must be full-time for 16 weeks, and for students enrolled Science, Technology, Engineering, Art,... Learn more »
Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace (CCAA)
The CCAA works with employers and post-secondary institutions 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. Opportunities can be full-time or part-time, for students enrolled Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math... Learn more »
Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) – Empowering Futures
The Empowering Futures Program is aimed at the electricity industry, which includes small to medium-sized firms whose primary activity is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity; is engaged in manufacturing of equipment and the provision of services necessary to generation, transmission or distribution, or sector support including renewables, research and development,... Learn more »

Environmental Careers Organization of Canada (ECO Canada)
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. Work terms can be full-time or part time from 6 - 16 weeks. Employers can apply for back-to-back placements for the same student.... Learn more »
Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) – WIL Digital
ICTC’s WIL Digital program aims to develop talent for the emerging ICT sectors, support businesses, and increase digital adoption in Canada. Targeted sectors include Advanced Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Fintech, Intelligent Retail, Big Data, Clean Tech, Connected transportation, Entertainment and Gaming, and e-Health. Companies outside these sectors but with a... Learn more »
Magnet Student Work Placement Program
The Magnet Student Work Placement Program brings together employers, students, and post-secondary institution stakeholders to create quality work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities. Registered Canadian business or non-profit organizations are eligible for funding. Positions can be full-time or part-time. Students from all post-secondary programs are eligible, however they must have a... Learn more »

Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) – Gearing Up
Gearing Up is the aimed at Canada’s mining sector with a goal to change the way students in mining-related post-secondary educational programs perceive, pursue and acquire the skills needed for in-demand mining careers. Employers must be involved in mining or mineral exploration, post-secondary institutions or non-profit organizations. Eligible students can be enrolled Science, Technology,... Learn more »
TECHNATION Canada (formerly ITAC) – Career Ready
The Career Ready program supports businesses that provide meaningful work opportunities for students that build technical capacity. Opportunities should be full-time for a minimum of 12 weeks, though shorter terms or part-time positions are considered on a case-by-case basis. Eligible students can be enrolled Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math (STEAM) or Business programs. Funding is... Learn more »
Toronto Finance International (TFI) – Aspire
Aspire has been funded to provide a matching platform where financial service employers can connect with in-demand student talent seeking co-ops, internships and other positions. Employers include banks, insurers, pension plans, investment managers, FinTechs, hedge funds and credit unions in Canada. No direct funding is provided to employers. Inquiries are accepted year-round. Learn more »

Venture for Canada
Venture for Canada has been funded to make it easy for small and medium-sized businesses in Western and Atlantic Canada to connect with Canada’s brightest students. All industries/sectors are welcome, 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... Learn more »

Testimonials

“As a small start-up company, we have limited resources and hiring through the co-op program proved to be very helpful in identifying and connecting with great talent in undergraduate students. The student we hired helped tremendously improve our brand image.”

  • GenomeMe™

 

“The co-op student’s creative thinking added fresh life to our marketing programs and helped us drastically improve our website. Hiring through the co-op program allowed us to grow our company faster with a talented young student contributing to the team.”

  • Guusto

 

“The co-op students have made a huge contribution in improving our coding efficiency using their solid knowledge learnt from school. They are always enthusiastic and eager to learn. The Co-op Program is a win-win for both the company as well as the co-op students.”

  • Kitply Industries

 

“Hiring through the co-op program was an easy process that provided us with a high-quality student with skills in web development, graphic design, and SQL. The co-op helped us with IT infrastructure setup, e-commerce website implementation, and customized application development.”

  • Evilnut Creative Technology Ltd.

 

Read about how the BCIC Tech Grant has enabled Virtro to become a leader in VR/AR technology in Vancouver in this ACE interview.

More Tech Grant success stories

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