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

If you hired a student for the Fall and Winter terms you may still be eligible for up to $7,500 in funding through the Magnet Student Work Placement Program. Applications are being accepted for the Fall term until March 31st, 2021 and the Winter term until April 15th, 2021.

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. As we now approach the Summer term in May 2021, the federal government is still finalizing the eligibility for upcoming terms and has for the time being reverted to the original eligibility requirements.

Program Eligibility

Fall 2020 and Winter 2021 Summer 2021

Funding
  • Program funding reimburses eligible employers for 75% of wages (to a maximum of $7,500)
  • Eligible employers can receive up to $7,000 in wage subsidies
  • 50% of the wages (to a maximum of $5,000) for each net new placement
  • 70% of the wages (to a maximum of $7,000) for each net new placement for underrepresented groups including women in STEM, Indigenous students, newcomers, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities, as well as first-year students

Employer
  • Registered Canadian businesses, not-for-profit, hospitals, long-term care facilities
  • 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
  • Registered, Canadian business or not-for-profit
  • Federal, Provincial, Territorial and Municipal Government does not qualify
  • Post-secondary institutions, hospitals and long-term care facilities do 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
  • Can be in a full or part-time program
  • Can be from any program of study
  • 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
  • Can be in a full or part-time program
  • Can be from any program of study

Placement
  • Employers will have the flexibility to postpone placement start dates to avoid rescinding placements.
  • 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
  • Students will be able to work from home.
  • Positions must be net new to qualify for SWPP funding (for example, incremental positions over and above what employers were able to hire last year at the same time)
  • Full-time or part-time positions
  • 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