SWPP Subsidy Guide for Canadian Employers
The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) provides wage subsidies to employers hiring post-secondary students for co-op and internship placements. Most eligible SMBs leave up to $5,000 unclaimed per placement.
Up to $5,000 per placement
Check if you qualify in under 2 minutes
Who qualifies?
- Registered Canadian business or non-profit (not government)
- Hiring post-secondary co-op/intern students
- Placement aligns with the student's academic program
- Students must be Canadian citizens, PR, or protected persons
Subsidy amounts
- Up to 50% of student wages
- Maximum $5,000 per position
- First-come, first-served per intake period
- Cannot stack with other federal funding
Key requirements
- Funding must be approved before the student starts
- Requirements vary by delivery partner
- Under 100 employees: exempt from net-new rule
- Use local office count for company size
Good to know
- Only co-op students eligible (not recent grads)
- Remote work placements are allowed
- No maximum number of students per employer
- Provincial funding stacking may be allowed
How it works
Step 1
Check eligibility
Answer a few questions to see if you qualify
Step 2
Contact a delivery partner
They'll guide you through the application process
Step 3
Receive subsidy
Get reimbursed for a portion of your student's wages
Delivery Partner Directory
Source: UWaterloo SWPP page — verified Apr 2026Contact the delivery partner that matches your industry. Each partner has its own application process and timelines.
| Partner | Sector | Region | Funding |
|---|---|---|---|
| BioTalent Canada | Biosciences, biotechnology, healthcare | National | — |
| Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council (CAHRC) | Agriculture | National | — |
| Canadian Council for Aerospace and Aviation | Aerospace, aviation | National | — |
| Canadian Media Producers Association (CMPA) | Media production | National | — |
| Culture Works Canada (CWC) | Cultural sector | National | — |
| Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) | Electricity industry | National | — |
| ECO Canada | Environmental, STEAM | National | — |
| Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) | Manufacturing | Ontario | — |
| Fédération des chambres de commerce du Québec | General business | Quebec | — |
| Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC) | Food and beverage manufacturing | National | — |
| Information and Communication Technology Council (ICTC) | Digital technology | National | — |
| Magnet | Any registered Canadian business or non-profit | National | — |
| Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) | Mining, mineral exploration | National | — |
| Ontario Chamber of Commerce | Ontario businesses and non-profits | Ontario | — |
| TECHNATION | Technology | National | — |
| Tourism HR Canada (THRC) | Tourism, hospitality | National | — |
| Trucking HR Canada | Transportation, logistics | National | — |
| Venture for Canada | Startups (specific regions) | National | — |
Application Deadlines
Deadlines vary by delivery partner
Each delivery partner manages their own application windows and intake periods. Funding is first-come, first-served and must be approved before the student starts their placement. Contact your delivery partner directly for current timelines.
Key things to know:
- Funding must be approved before the student's start date
- Most partners operate on a rolling or seasonal intake basis
- Apply early — funding is allocated first-come, first-served
- Start dates determine which fiscal year your hire counts toward
Track your SWPP application with Coopiq
Get funding alerts, deadline reminders, and document tracking — plus manage your entire co-op placement lifecycle in one place.
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