Work-Integrated Learning Employer Guidelines provide guidance on employer ethics and procedures for engaging in a recruiting partnership with McMaster University. Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) is a model and process of curricular experiential education which formally and intentionally integrates a student’s academic studies within a workplace or practice setting. WIL experiences include an engaged partnership of at least: an academic institution, a host organization, and a student. WIL can occur at the course or program level and includes the development of learning outcomes related to employability, personal agency and life-long learning.
Supervisors are required to monitor and evaluate the performance of the co-op student while they are undertaking a work experience at your organization. Supervisor evaluations are required for each applicable 4-month term of co-op experience. Supervisors will be prompted via email when evaluations are due, which is usually a month before the end of each 4-month co-op term. The successful completion and submission of the supervisor evaluation is a requirement for our office to issue the Co-operative Education Tax Credit to your organization.
For a position to be verified as an eligible co-op experience, it must meet the following minimum requirements:
- The role needs to be related to engineering and/or technology.
- The role needs to be a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks in duration, for every 16-week employment term.
- The role needs to be full-time hours. The minimum requirement is 35 hours per week.
- The roles must be paid, and the wages/salary need to meet provincial or territorial minimums.
MPORTANT UPDATE:
In affect beginning April 2022, NET NEW position requirements will be reimplemented as a requirement for funding.
New criteria for eligible employers has been established, and post-secondary institutions will no longer be eligible for SWPP funding.
As part of the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), a variety of funding opportunities are available for employers to hire students for the purposes of experiential learning. This funding is being administered by Employment and Social Development Canada.
Through SWPP, organizations within Canada that offer full-time employment opportunities between 12-16 weeks for full-time Canadian post-secondary students can receive wage subsidies:
- up to 50% of the wage cost for the placement (up to a maximum of $5,000 per placement) per student OR
- up to 70% (up to a maximum of $7,000 per placement) for under-represented students including first-year students, women in STEM, indigenous students, persons with disabilities and newcomers.
There are a total of 19 delivery partner organizations that help distribute this funding.
You can apply for this funding through the SWPP delivery partners, outlined below:
| Delivery Partner Organization | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| Information and Communication Technology Council – WIL Digital Subsidy | Applications must be from a Registered business or Not-for-profit organization that provides a student with a meaningful work placement which includes a Digital or Technology component and uses technology in some capacity. |
| Magnet Student Work Placement Program | Registered, Canadian business or not-for-profitPost-secondary institutions (universities, colleges and polytechnics) will be able to be the employer of record to offer meaningful placements to students.Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Municipal Government does not qualifyFinancial institutions do not qualify |
| Biotalent Canada | Must be with a bio-economy employer or healthcare employer and/or fulfilling a bio-economy or healthcare job function.The position needs to have a biotechnology or healthcare focus orThe employer needs to have a biotechnology or healthcare focus |
| Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council | Agri-workforce gaps inevitably lead to lost sales, production delays, and stress across the entire value chain with no end in sight. CAHRC has heard the industry calling for creative solutions we and have partnered with the Government’s Student Work Placement (SWP) Program to put post-secondary students directly into employment opportunities in their communities. |
| Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace | Organizations in Canada working in the aerospace and aviation industry (cannot be a research position in a school lab). |
| Canadian Media Producers Association – Student Work Placement Program | 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. |
| Cultural Human Resources Council Student Work Placement Program | CHRC is seeking applications from cultural sector employers. This sector includes Digital Media (Content Creators); Film and Television; Live Performing Arts; Music and Sound Recording; Visual Arts and Crafts; Writing and Publishing; and Heritage. The student’s field of study does not have to be related to arts and culture. For example, if a Canadian cultural sector employer requires assistance in developing its website, a computer science student could be hired. |
| Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) – Empowering Futures | Firms whose primary activity is the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical powerFirms engaged in the manufacturing of equipment and the provision of services necessary to the generation, transmission and distribution of electrical powerFirms engaged in supporting the sector including renewables, in any of the following areas: R & D, business development, energy efficiency, energy storage, electrical vehicle integration, smart cities. |
| Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) of Canada – Co-op Program | Organizations in Canada that are looking to hire students from science, technology, engineering, arts or mathematics (STEAM). Work terms must be at least 6 weeks long. Funding can be applied to part-time students as well as co-op students. |
| Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium WIL Works | EMC is working in partnership with the SWPP team to achieve Canada’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Strategy, which is meant to drive systemic change in the skills development system by EMC working with post-secondary institution partners to effectively align ‘work-ready’ skills of students with the skills required by Canada’s manufacturers. |
| Food Processing Skills Canada Student Work Placement Program | This program has been designed to support employers in connecting with students across all educational categories from food science to business, engineering and quality assurance. Food Processing Skills Canada’s Student Work Placement Program+ has made it easy for employers in Canada’s food and beverage manufacturing industry to connect with college and university students for work terms. |
| Information and Communication Technology Council – WIL Digital Subsidy | Eligibility requirements include:A registered business in CanadaCompany must be in the following sectors: intelligent retail, fintech, advanced manufacturing, entertainment and gaming, connected transportation, e-health, cybersecurity, big data, or clean techMust offer a quality full-time position to a studentMust have insuranceMust be compliant with Human Rights and Labor legislation, regulations, and lawsMust create a net new student position |
| Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MIHR) – Gearing Up | Organizations in Canada (small and large companies/post-secondary institutions/non-profit organizations) working in the mining or mineral exploration sectors are encouraged to apply. |
| Ontario Chamber of Commerce Talent Opportunities Program | The Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) is an initiative of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce designed to help employers located anywhere in Canada hire college and university students on work placements. |
| Technation – Career Ready Program | Organizations in Canada looking for employees with skills in the field of Information and Communications Technology.Positions you are hiring for can fall under the following categories:Business Technology ManagementComputer ScienceComputer Systems TechnologyComputer Engineering.Municipal governments are eligible for funding. |
| Toronto Finance International (TFI) – Aspire | Organizations in Canada working in the financial services sector, including:BanksInsurersPension plansInvestment managersFinTechsHedge fundsCredit unions in Canada |
| Tourism HR Canada Propel Student Work Placement Program | The Propel Student Work Placement Program is a new initiative to help the hardest-hit sector recover from the devastating impacts of the pandemic.The latest addition to the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program, Propel offers post-secondary students opportunities to develop the work-ready skills required to secure meaningful employment upon graduation. |
| Trucking HR Canada Student Work Placement Subsidy | Full-time or part-time work opportunity (minimum 4 weeks up to a maximum of 16 weeks at a minimum of 10 hours/week), directly related to the applicant’s program of study, and /or fulfilling a trucking and logistics job function. |
| Venture for Canada – Internship Program | Employers must:be a small to medium sized business, start-up, social enterprise, nonprofit, or charity (1-500 employees)have their business located in Atlantic Canada, British Columbia and the PrairiesEmployers can be from a wide range of industries from agriculture to robotics and anything in between. |
Need more information about funding, or assistance finding a candidate? Please contact us to learn more.
Any Ontario employer hiring students from a post-secondary co-op program, who are not government institutions, are eligible to receive an Ontario Tax Credit.
The Centre for Career Growth and Experience sends tax credits letters to employers at the end of every 4-month term, once all the expectations and requirements of both the employer and student have been met. More information on co-op program requirements can be found on our employers page.
Large corporations can claim 25% of expenditures, up to $3,000 per work placement. Small businesses can claim 30%, up to $3,000. This tax credit is available for each eligible 4-month work placement and employers may have multiple work placements at the same time and throughout the year. The tax credit is per eligible work placement and there is no cap. If you hire a student for 8, 12 or 16-months, you will receive a tax credit for each 4-month block of time.
| Delivery Partner Organization | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| PROJECT GRANT PROGRAM – CANADIAN INSTITUTES OF HEALTH RESEARCH (CIHR) | Funding: VariesEligibility: Researchers at any career stage to build and conduct health-related research and knowledge translation projects. |
| INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH ASSISTANCE PROGRAM | Funding: Covers a portion of an intern’s salary.This program is great for any organizations looking to hire emerging talent to assist and work on projects related to research and development, engineering, multimedia/market analysis components, or to help develop a new product/process.Eligibility include:Eligible for-profit corporations in Canada and not-for-profit corporations in CanadaMust be a small or medium-sized business (500 or less full-time employees)Must be ready to enhance your innovation capacity and willing to partner with NRC IRAPThe candidate’s internship must last a minimum of six months and a maximum of 12 months, and the candidate must be:15 to 30 years of age at the start of the internshipa post-secondary graduatea Canadian citizen, permanent resident of Canada or person granted refugee status in Canadalegally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial legislation and regulationsa first-time participant in a Youth Employment Strategy work experience program targeted at post-secondary graduates |
| Funding Organization | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| PROJECT LEARNING TREE CANADA | Funding: Up to 50% wage match to employers hiring youth aged 15-30 into forest, conservation, climate change, sustainability and parks jobs (up to a maximum of $5,712 per youth).Eligibility: Any organization that will offer work experience opportunities to students in the green jobs sector. Work experiences must be from 2-20 weeks in duration and must take place between July 13, 2020 and March 31, 2021.The job must be a Green Job from the Approved Jobs List and:a position within the scope of a Green Job: one that supports nature-based solutions for a more sustainable planet (see Appendix 1 for a list of examples);the duration of the work experiences must be from a minimum of 2 weeks to a maximum of 20 weekswork experience must take place in Canada |
| CAREER FOCUS GREEN JOBS | Funding: Offers up to $13,500 in wage subsidies over six months to employers to hire a recent graduate from any discipline into a “green job”.Eligibility: Businesses in the Biotech sector that have a green mandate and are hiring a co-op student for a role with an environmental focus. This organization offers funding opportunities for both co-op students and new graduates. |
| Funding Organization | Eligibility | ||
| ONTARIO ACHIEVING INNOVATION & MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE GLOBAL INITIATIVE | Funding: Up to $100,000Southern Ontario manufacturers undertaking training or skills-upgrading activities which will support innovation at the manufacturing facilities. All initiatives must support innovation which will lead to new global export opportunities or create new global markets.Employer eligibility include:Have between 10-1000 employees in southern Ontario;Have been continuously in business for at least three years (3 years);Must be able to demonstrate a solid financial footing over the three year period;Manufacturing facility or facilities in Southern Ontario (see map);Manufacture a specific product for sale in Ontario or elsewhere. | ||
| NORTHERN ONTARIO HERITAGE FUND CORPORATION | Funding: 50 – 75% of eligible expenses. There are 6 funding programs:Northern Business Opportunity ProgramNorthern Innovation ProgramStrategic Economic Infrastructure ProgramNorthern Community Capacity Building ProgramNorthern Event Partnership ProgramNorthern Ontario Internship ProgramEligibility: See each program for individual eligibility requirements. | ||
| EASTERN ONTARIO DEVELOPMENT FUND | Funding:Business projectsup to 15% of eligible project costs for a maximum grant of $1.5 million.Investments of more than $10 million that also create more than 50 new jobs may be eligible for a loan of up to $5 million.Community and regional development projectsup to 50% of eligible project costs for a maximum grant of up to $1.5 million.Eligibility: Businesses that support economic development in Eastern Ontario. This includes job creation, innovation, and the ability to attract private sector investment. | ||
| SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO DEVELOPMENT FUND | Funding:Business projectsup to 15% of eligible project costs for a maximum grant of $1.5 million.Investments of more than $10 million that also create more than 50 new jobs may be eligible for a loan of up to $5 million.Community and regional development projectsup to 50% of eligible project costs for a maximum grant of up to $1.5 million.Eligibility: Businesses that support economic development in Southwestern Ontario. This includes job creation, innovation, and the ability to attract private sector investment. | ||
| ABORGINAL PARTICIPATION FUND | Funding: There are five streams available:Advanced exploration and development supportEarly exploration supportEducation and relationship buildingMineral development advisor streamValues mapping and related projects.Eligibility: Funding is available to indigenous communities in Ontario. See each program for individual eligibility requirements. |
| Funding Organization | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| NEWFOUNDLAND/LABRADOR BUSINESS INVESTMENT FUND | Funding: Up to $500,000 per year in repayable term loansEligibility:Be a small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) based and operating in Newfoundland and Labrador having fewer than 100 employees and less than $10 million in sales.Demonstrate its ability to undertake the work identified in the project proposal.Demonstrate its ability to access the financial capital required to complete the project.Operate in a strategic sector as defined by TCII.Be in good standing with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. |
| NOVA SCOTIA GRADUATE TO OPPORTUNITY | Funding: Employers receive 25% of the first year’s salary (35% if the new graduate is a member of designated diversity group and 12.5% of the second year’s salary.)Eligibility:a small business with fewer than 100 employeesa start-up company incorporated within two years of the application datea social enterprise, not-for-profit organization, or registered charity with recognized standingthe position must be new, permanent, full-time position with a salary of $30,000 a year (minimum).You can’t receive funding from any other government employment program for this position. |
| NOVA SCOTIA WORKPLACE INNOVATION AND PRODUCTIVITY SKILLS INCENTIVE | Funding: Up to 100% of your training costs to be covered up to $10,000. For larger businesses, WIPSI provides up to 50% of direct training costsEligibility:Located in Nova ScotiaRegistered and active in the Nova Scotia Registry of Joint Stock Companies or incorporated by an Act of the Nova Scotia LegislatureOver one calendar year into operationsGenerating directly or representing businesses (e.g. Sector councils) that have at least thirty percent (30%) of revenues from commercial activityProducing a minimum of $25,000 in wages or owner remunerationNot solely generating profit from wholesale, retail, and accommodations and food services (e.g. businesses that manufacture and sell products) |
| PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT GRANT | Funding: 15% of actual eligible cost as determined at the time of your request for reimbursement – resulting in a maximum grant of $3,750.Eligibility:small businesses operating on Prince Edward Island, excluding fishers, farmers, not-for-profit organizations, banks and financial companies, realty companies (including commercial/residential landlords and developers), and professional and consulting servicesThe business must have at least one employee (minimum of 560 hours) or the business is the primary source of income for the applicant. (Verification may be requested.)A person who has multiple qualifying businesses and/or is a controlling shareholder in multiple qualifying businesses is only eligible to access this program for one (1) business per fiscal year.The company is registered to do business federally or provincially.An eligible business can only submit one application per year either through this program or Innovation PEI’s Capital Acquisition program. |
| Funding Organization | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| NORTHWEST TERRITORIES BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FUND (BDPF) | Funding: There are two programs for small business:1) Core BDPFmaximum in any 5 year period is $10,000 – $20,000 depending on your community.Only businesses with $500,000 or less in annual revenues are eligible to apply.2) BDPF AftercareThe BDPF Aftercare can provide businesses with contribution funding to purchase accounting software or services, succession planning and business training programs.The lifetime maximum for BDPF Aftercare Funding is $3,000 ($5,000 for businesses in level II communities). Level I communities include Yellowknife (including N’Dilo), Hay River, Fort Smith and Inuvik. All other NWT communities are considered level II.Eligibility: Only businesses with $500,000 or less in annual revenues are eligible to apply. |
| Funding Organization | Eligibility |
|---|---|
| REGIONAL INNOVATION ECOSYSTEMS | Funding: Up to 100% of approved project costsEligibility: Your project must support one of the following two priority areas:Cluster Growth, within one of the following priority sectors:Clean TechnologyClean ResourcesLife SciencesValue-added AgricultureAdvanced ManufacturingDigital TechnologyInclusiveness, with respect to one of the following under-represented groups:Indigenous PeoplesWomenYouth |
| SASKATCHEWAN JOB GRANT | Funding: Multiple grant applications to a maximum of $100,000 per year and up to $10,000 per individual for employee training.Employer eligibility:Private and not-for-profit sector employers are eligible.Publicly funded organizations such as health regions, post-secondary training institutions, public libraries, municipalities and school divisions are not eligible under the program.Self-Employed individuals are not eligible to participate as CSJG supported trainees.Trainee eligibility:Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident with a Social Insurance Number.Both existing and potential employees are eligible.Temporary Foreign Workers are not eligible. |
Canada Summer Jobs is an initiative of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, which aims to provide flexible and holistic services to support all young Canadians develop the skills and gain paid work experience to successfully transition in the labour market.
The program provides wage subsidies to create quality summer work experiences for young people aged 15 to 30 years.
Organization Eligibility:
- Not-for-profit organization (eligible for wage subsidies up to 100% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage)
- Public-sector organization (eligible for wage subsidies up to 50% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage)
- Small businesses with less than 50 full-time employees (eligible for wage subsidies up to 50% of the provincial or territorial minimum hourly wage)
Student Eligibility:
- Full-time student returning to full-time studies after summer work term
- Student between the ages of 15 – 30
- Student that is a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to who refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of employment
For more information, please visit the Government of Canada website.