Hiring post-secondary students can ease workload and help build your future workforce. However, wages add up quickly. The CCAA Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) helps aviation and aerospace employers cover a large share of student wages through a federal subsidy. If you’re wondering whether your business qualifies and how to apply without delays, here’s what you need to know.
The CCAA SWPP is a federal wage subsidy delivered by the Canadian Council for Aviation & Aerospace (CCAA). It reimburses eligible employers for a portion of wages paid to post-secondary students hired into approved work placements.
Key funding details
To apply successfully, both your business and the student must meet specific criteria.
Your business must:
The student must:
Higher support is available for first-year students and those from under-represented groups, subject to program rules.
Under the CCAA Student Work Placement Program, you can receive:
The subsidy applies only to eligible wages. Benefits and non-wage costs are usually excluded unless confirmed by CCAA.
Important: You cannot combine this subsidy with another federal wage subsidy for the same wages. In some cases, you may combine it with provincial programs. Always check with CCAA or the provincial program before applying.
Applying is straightforward, but timing matters.
You must receive CCAA approval before the student starts work. Retroactive applications are not accepted.
You can recruit through:
Make sure the role supports skill development related to aviation or aerospace.
You’ll need to submit:
Applications are submitted directly through CCAA’s SWPP intake process. Processing times vary, so apply as early as possible.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter student wage subsidy programs by industry and province in seconds.
If approved, you’ll be required to:
Applying after the student starts work
CCAA requires approval in advance. Late applications are usually rejected.
Missing the “net new” requirement
You must show that this placement increases your total number of student hires compared to last year.
Combining federal wage subsidies
You cannot use CCAA SWPP for wages already funded by another federal program.
Incomplete employment contracts
Missing wage details or dates can delay or block approval.
Q: What is the CCAA Student Work Placement Program?
It’s a federal wage subsidy that helps aviation and aerospace employers hire post-secondary students. Funding covers up to 70% of wages, capped at $7,000 per placement.
Q: Do I need approval before hiring the student?
Yes. CCAA approval must be obtained before the student’s first day of work. Retroactive claims are not allowed.
Q: Which students qualify for the program?
Eligible students are enrolled in Canadian post-secondary STEM or business programs. First-year students and under-represented groups may qualify for higher support.
Q: Can I combine CCAA SWPP with provincial wage subsidies?
You may combine it with provincial programs in some cases. You cannot combine it with other federal wage subsidies. Always check with CCAA or the provincial program before applying.
Q: Is the CCAA wage subsidy repayable?
No. The CCAA SWPP subsidy is a non-repayable grant. You do not need to pay back the funding unless otherwise specified by CCAA.
The CCAA Student Work Placement Program is one of several student wage subsidies available to Canadian employers. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and wage subsidy programs across Canada — check which ones match your business profile and hiring plans before you apply.
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