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Canadian employers — Boost your team with student talent!

Access up to $7,000 in funding through the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

Applications are now open for Winter 2026. If you’ve hired an eligible student between January 1 and March 31 2026, apply today. Funding is first-come, first-served.

About the Student Work Placement Program

The Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) provides employers with funding support when they hire post-secondary students for paid work placements approved by the student’s post-secondary institution. As a SWPP delivery partner, Magnet has supported 40,000+ placements.

According to a recent survey of SWPP Employers:

  • Each student hire creates $401 in additional value each month for their employer
  • 79% of employers stated they would consider hiring the student for future employment

Since 2017, SWPP has supported 249,000+ student opportunities across Canada, helping employers reduce costs, innovate, and build future-ready workforces.

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Funding tailored to who you hire

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Option 1

Any eligible student

Up to $5,000 for every student you hire through the program

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Option 2

1st year students or under-represented groups*

Up to $7,000 for every student you hire that is in their first year or is from an under-represented group.

*Under-represented groups include women in STEM, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, newcomers, and visible minorities.

Apply now to access funding

If you’ve hired an eligible student between January 1 and March 31, apply today.

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Hire & Apply all in one place

  • Post once, reach 125+ campus job boards.
  • Target students by region, school, or program.
  • Complete your SWPP application in the same platform.
  • Fully bilingual with step-by-step support.

Eligibility Snapshot

Expand All

Employers Must be…

Students Hired Must be…

Placements Must…

Funding

Timeframe

Winter 2026

Magnet is currently accepting applications for the Winter 2026 term. If you have hired, or plan to hire, an eligible student between January 1st to March 31st, 2026, you can apply for funding today. 

Please note that any waitlisted applications will be reviewed on a first come, first served basis. Magnet will notify you if your application has progressed to the next stage of review.

Net New Calculator

Net new is determined by subtracting the number of students your company is intending to hire (forecast) in the current fiscal year, including those already hired, from the number of students hired by your company in a fiscal year prior to first participating in this program (baseline). Forecast – baseline = net new student placements eligible for wage subsidy

When answering the questions below consider these points:

  • Post-secondary students only
    • who have been paid
    • regardless of any funding resources received (grants, tax credits, etc.)

Do not include:

  • High school students
  • Non-paid or volunteer positions

Magnet has created a tool to help calculate the eligible number of students for the current fiscal year

Please Note: This calculator follows the fiscal year definition of April 1st to March 31st.

Have you accessed SWPP funds in a previous fiscal year (prior to the current fiscal year)? This includes any of the delivery partners that offer this program.
When did you first participate in the SWPP?
How many students did you hire previously?
Please specify the exact number of students you hired:
How many students are you projected to hire during this year (April 1, 2025 - March 31, 2026)?
Please specify the exact number of students you plan to hire:
Based on your answers this is how many placements you can apply for funding:
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Support & Live Sessions

  • Join a live support session for a walk-through of hiring and funding tools.
  • Access self-serve guides, eligibility checklists, and a net-new calculator.

New live sessions are coming soon. Stay tuned!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a wage subsidy?

What does net new mean?

Who are underrepresented groups?

More FAQs