TECHNATION — Career Ready Program

Hiring student talent can be a smart way to build capacity while testing future hires, but wage costs can make it harder for smaller teams to take that step. The TECHNATION — Career Ready Program helps Canadian businesses offset those costs by providing a wage subsidy when they bring on post-secondary students for meaningful work term placements. Available nationwide and open to businesses across most industries, the program is designed to make student hiring more accessible and less risky.

Through Career Ready, employers can receive funding that covers roughly half of a student’s wages, with support reaching up to about $5,000 per placement. For students from under-represented groups, the subsidy can be even higher, covering a larger share of wages with funding of up to roughly $7,000. The funding is non-repayable and intended to support paid, net-new roles where students gain real, hands-on experience that contributes to the business’s day-to-day operations or project work.

The program is particularly appealing for growing companies that want to explore new skills, tackle short-term initiatives, or build an early-career talent pipeline without taking on the full financial burden. Applications are typically accepted on an ongoing basis, making it a flexible option for employers planning upcoming work terms. Reviewing the full program details can help you decide whether Career Ready is the right fit for your hiring plans.