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.
Funding tailored to who you hire
Option 1
Any eligible student
Up to $5,000 for every student you hire through the program
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.
Eligibility Snapshot
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.
