We had some interesting news land in our inbox for organizations interested in hiring summer students, courtesy a website from the University of Waterloo.
The Student Work Placement Program
The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is federal Canadian program designed to give post-secondary students taking a course of study that includes co-op placements paid experience in their field of study. The SWPP has historically provided:
- Wage subsidies to employers (registered Canadian businesses and organizations) to create quality employment placements for students in programs with a co-op placement component – up to $5000 for each student hired through the program, and up to $7,000 for each first-year student hired, or student from an under-represented group –> women in STEM, persons with disabilities, newcomers, Indigenous students, and visible minorities.
- Assistance for colleges, universities, polytechnics and CEGEPs to find students to fill these placements.
The SWPP provides post-secondary students with employment opportunities, and businesses with employees with specialized knowledge and expertise – a win for everyone! And it’s just gotten even better.
Changes to the SWPP
Because of COVID-19, the Canadian government has changed eligibility for the SSWP to make it more beneficial and easier to access for both applicants and employers. Until March 31, 2022, the SSWP will:
- Subsidize up to 75% of a hired student’s wages (up to $7500)
- Subsidize wages for a shortened work term (8 – 16 wks).
- Expand project eligibility to include work-from-home positions.
- Add post-secondary institutions to the list of eligible employers.
- Remove the “net new” restriction from student eligibility so that all co-op students are eligible for funding.
Remember, these changes are only in effect until March 31. Students can apply for the list of employers currently accepting applications for placements here, and employers can apply for the wage subsidy here.
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