Work‑Integrated Learning & Co‑operative Education

Funding

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Various funding and subsidy programs to assist in the hiring a co-op student are available. Qualified employers must apply independently through the organization contacts listed below.

Co-op/Internship Hiring

 

Co-op Education Incentive (Nova Scotia)

Funded by: Nova Scotia Labour, Skills and Immigration

The Co-op Education Incentive provides wage assistance to private sector, government-funded and non-profit organizations in Nova Scotia who offer career-related work experience for co-op students.

Details

Employers can hire a co-op student for a work term of 12-16 weeks.  You’ll receive a subsidy of $8 an hour for the wages you pay the student.  The CEI Funding program will reimburse up to 640 hours of work.  32-week terms are available in some education programs – please confirm with the Co-op Coordinator at the post-secondary institution.

Please Note: Not all programs are eligible for CEI Funding, please check with your Co-op Coordinator to confirm before hiring.  WIL Co-op programs NOT eligible for CEI Funding: 

  • Master of Applied Computer Science (MACS)
  • Bachelor of Community Design (BCD)  

Apply in May, September, January (check website for specific deadlines)

Contact: yepinfo@gov.ns.ca   |   902-424-6000   |   1-800-424-5418 

More information: Co-operative Education Incentive
 

 

Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

Funded by: Government of Canada

Organizations within Canada that offer opportunities for full-time Canadian post-secondary students (including remote-working opportunities) may be eligible to receive wage subsidies covering up to $5,000 toward the salary of every student hired through the program.

Details

  • Up to $5,000 wage subsidy per student
  • Students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugees.

Contact: coopjobs@dal.ca | 902-494-6083

Learn more: Student Work Placement Program
 

 

Mitacs

Funded by:  Government of Canada

Connects companies and not-for profit organizations with academic researchers for innovative research projects, supporting collaborations with all academic disciplines and sectors, and providing matching funding to help organizations leverage their research budgets and hire College, Master, PhD, and Post-Doc interns. 

Details

  • For undergrad and master programs

Contact: Aishwarya Mohan, amohan@mitacs.ca

More information: mitacs 


Canada Summer Jobs

Funded by: Government of  Canada

Provides wage subsidies to assist not-for-profit, public sector and smaller private sector organizations with 50 or fewer employees across Canada to hire post-secondary students.

 
More information: Canada Summer Jobs

 

Energy Training Program

Funded by: Government of Nova Scotia

The Energy Training Program helps energy sector employers cover the wages of a student or recent graduate for a summer work term.

Each year the Energy Training Program helps postsecondary students and recent graduates get work experience in the energy sector by providing a hiring incentive for local businesses.

Details

Employers receive an incentive of 50 to 60% of the student or graduate’s wages for a 12-to-17-week work term.

Employers receive a 50% subsidy (up to $10 an hour) for students and recent graduates. They receive an increased subsidy of 60% (up to $12 an hour) for students or recent graduates who self-identify as Mi’kmaq or Indigenous, a woman in an underrepresented occupation, visible minority, African Nova Scotian or a person with a disability.

Employers can hire current students (including co-op students) and recent graduates who graduated within 18 months before starting the work term at a Nova Scotia postsecondary institution. First-time applicants are eligible for an additional 10%.

Eligibility

Businesses with up to 500 employees operating in Nova Scotia are eligible to apply:

  • have a direct connection to the energy sector
  • provide work experience that’s directly related to the student’s field of study
  • provide work term positions that pay at least the legal minimum wage, plus 4% vacation pay

Contact: Nova Scotia Department of Energy and Mines, energytraining@novascotia.ca
902-719-5322

More information: Energy Training Program


Industrial Research Assistance Program

Funded by: Government of Canada

IRAP supports small and medium-sized enterprises in the development of technologies by cost-sharing approved research and development projects.

Details

Employers should be incorporated Canadian small-medium sized enterprises with no more than 500 employees.

The project should deal with research related to science and technology with the goal to enhance your company's innovative capability.

Students must be Canadian citizens, landed immigrant or hold a valid work permit and enrolled in a full-time program.

Availability: ongoing

Application deadline: projects must be individually proposed to NRC IRAP

Contact: 902-426-1624   |   1-877-994-4727

More information: National Research Council Canada

 

Student Summer Skills Incentive (SKILL)

Funded by: Government of Nova Scotia

Student Summer Skills Incentive (SKILL) offers wage assistance to non-profit organizations that hire post-secondary students for summer jobs.

Details

  • SKILL helps registered non-profits, charities and social enterprises offer summer jobs to post-secondary students.
  • Eligible employers can hire students for terms of 8-14 weeks in the summer. You’ll receive a subsidy of $10.50 per hour for the wages you pay to your student employees. Students must work at least 240 hours during their work term. The program will reimburse up to 525 hours.

Apply between mid-December and end of January

Contact: yepinfo@gov.ns.ca
902-424-6000 | 1-800-424-5418

More information: Student Summer Skills Incentive (SKILL)
 

 

Other Employer Funding