Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)
by Employment and Social Development Canada
Also known as: SWPP · Career Ready (TECHNATION stream) · Magnet SWPP
SWPP subsidizes hiring post-secondary students for placements related to their studies, reported at 50% of wages up to $5,000 per placement as of summer 2026 (the former $7,000 tier for under-represented students is reported retired; confirm with your partner). You apply through a sector delivery partner (TECHNATION, Magnet, ECO Canada, etc.), not ESDC. Partner allocations run out each term, so apply early. Open to businesses and nonprofits anywhere in Northern Ontario.
Key facts
- Amount
- Up to $5,000
canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending
- Instrument
- Wage subsidy
- Status
- Open while funds last allocations can run out before the window closes; confirm before applying
- Who qualifies
- Registered Canadian businesses, not for profit organizations
- National program, no Northern Ontario restriction; all districts eligible
- Student must be enrolled at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution and the placement related to their field of study
- Public-sector employers are generally ineligible (reported)
canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending
Application process
- Pick the employer delivery partner matching your sector (e.g., TECHNATION, Magnet, ECO Canada, BioTalent, Food Processing Skills Canada)
- Apply to that partner, ideally before the semester starts; approval before the student's start date is typically required
- Hire the student, submit payroll evidence, receive the subsidy
canada.ca · Last verified Aug 17, 2026 · Reported, verification pending
Stacking
- Canada Summer Jobs, Do not stack federal wage subsidies on the same wages, a given student placement is funded by SWPP or Canada Summer Jobs, not both (reported; confirm with your delivery partner).
Common questions
How is SWPP different from Canada Summer Jobs?
CSJ is an annual-window application direct to ESDC for youth 15-30, summer-weighted. SWPP runs year-round through sector delivery partners, is specifically for enrolled post-secondary students in study-related placements, and pays a percentage-of-wages subsidy per placement. You cannot fund the same wages under both.
Who do I actually apply to?
One of the recognized employer delivery partners for your sector, e.g., TECHNATION (tech roles), Magnet (multi-sector), ECO Canada (environmental), BioTalent Canada (bio-economy). Each runs its own application portal and allocation.
Is the $7,000 enhanced subsidy still available?
Multiple secondary sources report the enhanced tier for first-year and under-represented students was retired in the summer-2026 simplification, leaving a flat 50%-up-to-$5,000 subsidy. We could not confirm on the official page (bot-blocked), verify the current rate with your delivery partner before budgeting.
Does the student have to be co-op?
No, the placement must relate to the student's field of study, but formal co-op registration is not required by all delivery partners. Requirements vary slightly by partner.
Apply
Apply on the funder’s site and confirm current terms there: