Co-op Funding Programs

A number of programs are available to employers to assist in hiring a student at the Undergraduate, Master or higher level. Contact the organizations involved with the following programs for additional details on eligibility and the application process:

Co-op Funding

Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit (CETC)

Description: A refundable tax credit for businesses hiring students enrolled in a recognized post-secondary co-operative education program.

Terms/Assistance/Benefits: Provides a maximum tax credit of $3,000 for each post-secondary co-operative education placement of an Ontario student.

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) supports hiring post-secondary students by providing wage subsidies to employers that offer quality work-integrated learning opportunities.

Qualifying employers may be eligible to offset up to 70% of student wages up to a maximum of $7,000 for each eligible student.

How much you could receive from the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP):

  • Up to $5,000 for every student you hire through the program 
  • Up to $7,000 for every student you hire that is in their first year or is from an under-represented group including:
    • Women in STEM 
    • Persons with disabilities 
    • Newcomers 
    • Indigenous students 
    • Visible minorities

CanExport SMEs

CanExport SMEs is looking to help small to medium-sized enterprises in Ontario increase their access to global markets.

Companies with a maximum of 500 full-time equivalent employees and who have declared between $100K to $100M in annual revenue during the last 12 months in Canada may qualify. The program provides up to $50,000 to Canadian-registered SMEs for international business development projects with potential to significantly contribute to Canada's economic growth.

Please Note: Applications are assessed on a first-come, first-served basis, and most applications are approved in 60 business days.

Green Jobs Science & Technology Internship Program 

Green Jobs Science & Technology Internship Program (STIP) is funded by Natural Resource Canada.

Green Jobs STIP provides wage subsidies for hiring organizations in the natural resource sectors to host eligible interns for up to 12-month internships

Eligible employers will be provided with salary support of up to 75% of an intern’s salary.

National Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada Experience Award - Undergrad Student Research Awards

The National Sciences & Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Experience Award offers companies access to talented natural sciences and engineering undergraduate students for a work term.

This cost-shared program allows students to address company-specific research and development challenges while gaining valuable industrial experience. 

Gearing Up Program

Gearing Up provides post-secondary student with exposure to the mining industry through employer delivery of work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities. The program is creating WIL opportunities, with wage subsidies up to $7,000 available to employers who offer work experience, co-op placements, internships, field placements or applied projects.

Summer Co-op Term Funding

Canada Summer Jobs

Description: Contributions for employers to hire students during the summer.

Terms/Assistance/Benefits: Up to 50% of provincial minimum wage per hour.