A wage subsidy provides financial reimbursement to employers who hire eligible job seekers.

The SWPP program is an economic development effort funded by the federal government to support the growth of Canadian businesses and nonprofits. Organizations who wish to participate must demonstrate a projected increase in the number of students hired in their “baseline year” in order to qualify. Net new is determined by subtracting the number of students hired by an employer in the first year prior to first participating in the Student Work Placement Program, from the number of students (not staff) the employer is intending to hire in the current fiscal year, including those already hired.

Learn more about calculating Net New Placements

As defined by Co-operative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada, 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.

Work Integrated learning opportunities that are eligible for Student Work Placement wage subsidies include, but are not limited to:

• mentorship programs
• co-op placements
• practicums
• applied research projects; and
• internships

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.

First Year Students are defined as students registered in the first year of their program at a recognized post-secondary institution.

Students from under-represented groups include:

Women in STEM: refers to a woman registered and studying in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Indigenous People: refers to people who reported identifying with at least one Aboriginal group, that is, First Nations, Métis or Inuit, and/or those who reported being a Treaty Indian or a Registered Indian as defined by the Indian Act of Canada, and/or those who reported they were members of an Indian band or First Nation.

Persons with disabilities: refers to an individual who has a difficulty or impairment due to a long-term condition or health problem and/or experiences a limitation in their daily activities.

Newcomer: refers to immigrants who immigrated to Canada within the last five years.

Visible Minorities: refers to persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour