How the Program Works

The program is delivered by Magnet along with a range of recognized associations and organizations who represent key industries and sectors in Canada.

Together, they partner with colleges, universities, polytechnics and CEGEPs to:

  • Provide wage subsidies to employers that offer quality student work placements
  • Create recruitment opportunities to match students to the right placements
  • Convene educators and employers to help align PSE curricula to the skills needs of industry

Funding is limited and administered on a first-come, first-served basis wherein completed applications are prioritized in the order they are received.

Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 (Now Closed)

Magnet is no longer accepting new applications for the Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 Student Work Placement Program.

Summer 2021

In the summer of 2020 the Canadian government, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, made changes to the Student Work Placement Program for the Fall and Winter terms to better meet the needs of employers and students during this time. The federal government is still finalizing the eligibility for upcoming terms.

Program Eligibility

Funding
  • Program funding reimburses eligible employers for 75% of wages (to a maximum of $7,500)

Employer
  • Registered, Canadian business or not-for-profit
  • Post-secondary institutions (universities, colleges and polytechnics) will be able to be the employer of record to offer meaningful placements to students.
  • Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Municipal Government does not qualify
  • Financial institutions do not qualify

Student
  • Registered as a domestic student in a recognized post-secondary institution
  • Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations
  • Must have a work-integrated learning component within their study plan
  • Undertaking a placement that is recognized as work-integrated learning in connection with a course, degree, certificate, diploma, or other recognized program offered by the institution. The placement can be required or optional, for credit or not for credit.
  • Graduate students (including Masters and PhD’s) are eligible.
  • Can be in a full or part-time program
  • Can be from any program of study

Placement
  • Employers will be able to apply for funding before they finalize their selection of students to hire.
  • Positions do not have to be net new
  • Students will be able to work from home.
  • Stacking with provincial tax credits is allowed, but it’s the employer’s responsibility to follow their provincial tax credit guidelines and consult a tax professional. Wage subsidy funds cannot be counted toward any tax credits, only actual paid wages
  • Placements can be partially funded by non-federal (provincial, municipal, territorial) government funds provided these funds and the funds from the SWPP together do not exceed 100% of the gross wage paid to the student during the placement