Gearing Up — Student Work Placement Program

Finding skilled talent with mining-ready experience is an ongoing challenge for employers across Canada’s natural resources sector. The Gearing Up — Student Work Placement Program is designed to help mining companies bridge that gap by supporting paid, hands-on learning opportunities for post-secondary students who are training for careers in the industry. Delivered by the Mining Industry Human Resources Council, the program helps employers turn co-ops, internships, field placements, and applied projects into practical talent pipelines.

Through Gearing Up, eligible mining and natural resource businesses can receive a non-repayable wage subsidy of up to $7,000 per student placement, reducing the cost of bringing students onto real-world projects. The program focuses on aligning student skills with current industry needs, making placements more productive for employers while giving students meaningful experience that improves their job readiness. It also encourages broader participation across the workforce, including students from groups traditionally underrepresented in mining-related careers, helping companies build more inclusive teams for the future.

The program operates nationally and is currently accepting waitlist applications for upcoming placement periods. For mining employers looking to develop future talent while offsetting wage costs, learning more about how Gearing Up works could be a smart next step.