Hiring students can ease staffing pressure. But wages add up fast, especially for tourism and hospitality businesses with tight margins. The Propel Tourism and Hospitality Student Work Placement Program helps by covering up to 70% of a student’s wages, making it easier to create paid, meaningful roles while building your future workforce.
Below is a clear, step‑by‑step guide on how to apply, who qualifies, and how to avoid common missteps.
The Tourism and Hospitality Student Work Placement Program by Propel (SWPP) is a federal wage subsidy delivered by Tourism HR Canada. It supports Canadian employers in tourism, hospitality, and travel who create new, paid work placements that are part of a student’s program.
Funding details:
Eligible placement types:
Placements can be on‑site, remote, or hybrid, as long as the student is hired as an employee, not a contractor.
Your business must:
You cannot:
The student must:
The placement must be additional to your normal staffing levels. If the role existed before, it likely won’t qualify.
Outline:
This information is required during the application.
Applications are submitted through Tourism HR Canada’s Propel portal. You apply as the employer, not the student.
Be ready to provide:
You must receive approval before the subsidy can be reimbursed. Wage subsidies are generally paid after you submit proof of employment and payroll.
After the placement starts, you’ll submit:
The subsidy is generally treated as government assistance and must be reported in your financials. However, businesses should consult their accountant for specific reporting requirements.
Tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can help you filter student wage subsidy programs by province, industry, and student type in seconds.
Hiring international students
The Propel SWPP only supports domestic students. International students are not eligible.
Classifying students as contractors
Students must be hired as employees. Contractor arrangements are not eligible.
Applying after the placement starts
Approval is required. Retroactive placements are typically rejected.
Misunderstanding “new” placements
Re‑posting an old role or replacing a former employee can disqualify your application.
Q: How much funding does the Propel Student Work Placement Program provide?
Employers can receive 50% of wages up to $5,000, or 70% up to $7,000 for first‑year students and those from under‑represented groups.
Q: Can placements be remote or hybrid?
Yes. On‑site, remote, and hybrid placements are all eligible, as long as the work environment is safe.
Q: Do students need to be employees or contractors?
Students must be hired as employees. Independent contractors are not eligible.
Q: What counts as work‑integrated learning?
Co‑ops, internships, practicums, applied projects, and similar structured learning experiences tied to a post‑secondary program qualify.
Q: Is the wage subsidy taxable income?
Yes. The subsidy is generally treated as government assistance and must be reported in your business records. For details on your specific situation, consult your accountant.
If you’re planning to hire students this year, the Propel Tourism and Hospitality Student Work Placement Program can significantly reduce your payroll costs. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active student wage subsidy and hiring programs across Canada—including tourism‑specific options—so you can quickly see which ones fit your business profile and hiring plans.
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