If you plan to hire a student or recent graduate for a work term, the new Student Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Program can can help support up to 50-70% of wages, for a maximum $5-7K depending on the candidate you hire.
The WIL program aims to support partnerships between employers and post-secondary education (PSE) institutions to create more work-integrated learning placements in in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and business occupations for Canadian students.
Under the Student Work-Integrated Learning Program, Canadian employers in eligible sectors that offer quality work-integrated learning placements to PSE students and recent graduates (within 12 months before starting the WIL contract period) will be eligible to receive wage subsidies:
- Up to 50% of wages or up to $5,000, to provide a student or recent graduate with meaningful WIL opportunities that develop foundational and entrepreneurial/business skills;
- Up to 70% of wages or up to $7,000, to provide a student or recent graduate with meaningful WIL opportunities that develop foundational and entrepreneurship/business skills for the following under-represented groups: a) women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM); b) Indigenous students; c) recent immigrants (arrived in Canada during the last 5 years); d) persons with disabilities; and e) first-year students.
Eligible emerging sectors include:
- Advanced manufacturing;
- Intelligent retail;
- Fintech; or
- Any identified high growth sector such as entertainment and gaming, connected transportation, biotehcnology, cyber security, e-Health, clean tech, etc.
Interested small- and medium-sized enterprises, are encouraged to contact the program directly or fill out the application form to receive more information or to participate in the program, or partner with local eligible PSE institutions to provide work-integrated learning placements for students or recent graduates.
