Hiring and training new talent can be a challenge for arts and culture organizations, especially when budgets are tight. The CHRC Student Work Placement Program offers a practical way for cultural employers across Canada to bring post-secondary students onto their teams through paid, hands-on work experiences. Designed for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations, the program helps offset wage costs while giving students the opportunity to build real-world skills that prepare them for long-term employment.
Delivered by the Cultural Human Resources Council and supported by federal funding, this initiative focuses on work-integrated learning placements within the cultural sector. Employers in areas such as film and television, digital media, music, performing arts, heritage, publishing, and visual arts can receive wage subsidies of up to about $7,000 per student placement. The program typically covers a significant portion of a student’s wages, with enhanced support available when hiring students from underrepresented groups. Remote work arrangements are allowed, and students do not need to be studying an arts-related discipline, making it easier to match talent to real operational needs like marketing, technology, or administration.
With applications generally ongoing and flexibility built into how placements are structured, the CHRC Student Work Placement Program can be a strong fit for cultural employers looking to grow capacity while supporting the next generation of workers. Exploring the full program details can help determine how this funding aligns with your hiring plans.
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