Hiring students can support your staffing needs, but paying wages and onboarding costs money. That’s why Student Work Placement and WIL wage subsidies are available. Through the federal Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), employers can get up to $7,000 per student to cover wage costs. These programs also help you build a future talent pool for your organization.
These wage subsidies are not loans. You do not have to pay them back. Trusted organizations across Canada deliver these funds to employers.
The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is a federal program funded by Employment and Social Development Canada and delivered by sector organizations.
A main access point is WILWorks (formerly Find Your WIL), managed by the Business + Higher Education Roundtable (BHER).
To qualify for SWPP wage subsidies as an employer, you need to:
Most SWPP wage subsidies provide:
Placements can be full-time or part-time, and may be in-person, hybrid, or remote, depending on the delivery partner.
To be eligible for SWPP wage subsidies, you must:
Some delivery partners may have extra rules, so always check their guidelines before applying.
There are several SWPP-funded wage subsidy programs available to Canadian employers. Each one focuses on different industries and follows its own process.
WILWorks connects you to the right wage subsidy program for your industry and location but does not provide funding directly.
Assuming students must be in co-op programs
Many SWPP placements are open to non-co-op students, as long as the role qualifies as WIL.
Hiring before applying
Most wage subsidies require approval before the student’s start date. Retroactive funding is rarely allowed.
Missing underrepresented student eligibility
Failing to identify eligible students can mean missing out on an additional $2,000 per placement.
Ignoring payroll documentation requirements
Employers must submit proof of wages paid before reimbursement is issued.
For filtering programs by province, industry, and student type, tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher can save hours of manual searching.
Applying for SWPP wage subsidies usually involves these steps:
If you want help finding the right program, GrantHub’s platform can match you with options that fit your business.
Q: What is considered a work-integrated learning (WIL) placement?
A WIL placement is a paid role that gives students real work experience connected to their studies. It can include internships, applied research roles, or project-based work.
Q: Can small businesses apply for SWPP wage subsidies?
Yes. Most SWPP delivery partners support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), including startups and first-time student employers.
Q: Are international students eligible?
Generally, no. Most SWPP-funded wage subsidies require students to be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons with refugee protection.
Q: Are wage subsidies considered taxable income?
Wage subsidies are usually treated as government assistance and may affect your business’s taxable income. Ask your accountant for advice.
Q: How long does it take to get reimbursed?
Timelines depend on the delivery partner, but most reimburse after you submit payroll proof. It often takes 4–8 weeks.
Q: Where can I find all active student wage subsidy programs?
GrantHub keeps a current list of wage subsidy and hiring grants, including SWPP programs, to help you find the best fit for your business.
Student Work Placement and WIL wage subsidies can reduce your student hiring costs by 50% or more. They also help you grow long-term talent. The key is to apply through the right delivery partner before you hire.
GrantHub tracks hundreds of active wage subsidy and student hiring programs across Canada — including SWPP-funded options — so you can quickly see which ones match your business profile.
Was this article helpful?
Rate it so we can improve our content.
Canada Proactive Disclosure Data
The Canadian government has funded over 400,000 businesses through 1.27 million grants and contributions. Check your eligibility in 60 seconds.