BioTalent — Student Work Placement Program
Canada
Funding to hire co-ops in healthcare or bio-economy
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateMarch 01, 2024
- grant_single|closingDateAugust 15, 2024
- grant_single|grantStatusClosed
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Educational services
- Health care and social assistance
grant_single|grantors
- BioTalent Canada
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
If you’re in the business of healthcare or bioscience, you could get connected with a post-secondary student to work with you on a project up to 16 weeks and a subsidy to cover 70% of their salary, up to $7,000.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to companies located throughout Canada, as it is a national program. Eligible companies must be able to offer work-integrated learning opportunities in biotechnology or healthcare sectors across the nation.
- Companies located in any province or territory in Canada.
- Organizations conducting biotechnology or healthcare-related work across Canada.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$4,500
Hire a pharmacy student to improve medication management systems
$7,000
Hire a biotechnology student for research in cancer cell biology
$7,000
Provide a work-integrated learning opportunity in pediatric healthcare
$5,600
Engage a business student for a healthcare startup’s financial analysis
$5,000
Support a psychology student in mental health outreach initiative
$6,000
Engage a student from UBC for healthcare data analytics project
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined based on the employer's ability to create a suitable work-integrated learning opportunity and adherence to the program's distinct criteria.
- The employer must be creating a work-integrated learning opportunity that meets the program criteria.
- The employer should be a biotechnology or healthcare organization, or the position should have a biotechnology or healthcare focus.
- The employer must ensure the student placement is additional to the baseline number of students previously hired and not funded by other Federal grants.
- Students must be added to the employer’s payroll with Federal/Provincial tax deductions.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) is available to Canadian employers that meet specific criteria related to biotechnology or healthcare and are looking to create work-integrated learning opportunities for students.
- Employers must provide work opportunities in biotechnology or healthcare fields.
- Employers can be any organization with a biotechnology or healthcare focus.
- Students hired must be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution full- or part-time.
- Students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugees legally entitled to work in Canada.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant does not specify restrictions related to certain companies or industries based on status or main activities. Eligibility is instead focused on meeting certain conditions related to bio-economy and healthcare functions.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) supports projects that aim to enhance the job-readiness of students enrolled in various programs at Canadian post-secondary institutions. The eligible activities are focused on providing work-integrated learning opportunities within the bio-economy and healthcare sectors.
- Hiring students for roles with biotechnology or healthcare focus.
- Creating net new student placements that align with bio-economy or healthcare job functions.
- Engaging in projects aimed at developing business, technical, and essential skill sets of students.
- Offering part-time or full-time work opportunities for students, ensuring they meet the minimum duration and hour requirements.
- Utilizing wage subsidies to offset costs associated with hiring students from under-represented groups.
- Ensuring student placements contribute to the employer’s workforce strategy, developing talent for future recruitment needs.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers the wage subsidy for student placements to support work-integrated learning opportunities.
- Wage subsidies covering 50% of a student's salary up to $5,000.
- Wage subsidies covering 70% of a student's salary up to $7,000 for first-year students and under-represented groups.
grant_single_labels|criteria
Below are the evaluation and selection criteria for the Student Work Placement Program grant:
- Demonstrated need for funding to support student work placements
- Alignment of the proposed work placement with the program's objectives
- Clear plan for integrating the student into the organization and providing valuable work experience
- Commitment to support the student's learning and development
- Capacity to provide a safe and inclusive work environment for the student
- Potential for the work placement to lead to future employment opportunities
grant_single_labels|register
- Step 1: Create an Account
- Log into the BioTalent Canada website.
- If you don't have an account, create a new one providing necessary details.
- Step 2: Access Dashboard
- Sign in to your BioTalent Canada user account.
- Navigate to the 'My Applications' section under Wage Subsidy Applications.
- Step 3: Submit New Application
- Click on the 'Submit new wage subsidy application' button.
- Complete the application form with details about your placement opportunity.
- Ensure all required fields are filled accurately and submit the application.
- Step 4: Confirmation and Follow-up
- Receive an email confirmation verifying the submission of your application.
- If placed on a limited-capacity waitlist, await further communication via email.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- Applications may be placed on a limited-capacity waitlist due to overwhelming demand, especially for summer-term placements.
- BioTalent Canada offers free access to new training programs once the placement is approved.
- The program is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program.
- Placements funded through stipends, scholarships, or bursaries do not qualify for this program.
- Student work placements must be considered net new hires, beyond a company's baseline hiring records.
- Employers must add students to their payroll including Federal/Provincial tax deductions.
Apply to this program
Enhance Workforce Readiness with SWPP Funding
The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) offers Canadian employers in biotech and healthcare sectors a valuable opportunity to integrate students into their workforce while benefiting from wage subsidies. This initiative aids in bridging the gap between academic learning and practical experience by providing up to $7,000 in subsidies for eligible student placements, fostering both skill development and economic growth.
Understanding the Student Work Placement Program and Its Comprehensive Benefits
The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), administered by BioTalent Canada, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the job-readiness of students across Canada. This initiative, funded in part by the Government of Canada, is particularly targeted at increasing workforce integration among students in STEM, healthcare, and business disciplines. With a robust framework aimed at reducing financial barriers for employers, SWPP provides a wage subsidy that covers 50% of a student’s salary, up to $5,000, and extends coverage to 70%, up to $7,000, for first-year students and underrepresented groups such as women in STEM, indigenous students, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and newcomers. This is a strategic move to encourage diversified participation and foster talent development in key sectors.
The program's focus is not only on student inclusion but also on providing substantial advantages to employers. By participating, employers can address immediate staffing needs while investing in the future workforce. The initiative facilitates the hiring of students who are eager to apply their academic knowledge practically, thus also providing a pipeline of future employees well-versed with the specific needs and culture of the company by the end of their placement. The program supports a wide range of placements, allowing flexibility in hours and weeks, as long as they fall between the specified funding terms. This helps employers plan efficiently around their operational schedules and strategic goals.
An additional benefit to employers engaged in SWPP is access to BioTalent Canada’s Essential Skills Fundamentals Training Program and Technical Skills Fundamentals Training Program, which are offered at no extra cost upon placement approval. These programs are designed to ensure that both employers and students maximize the impact of their interactions. They provide students with a BioReady™ Edge, equipping them with industry-relevant skills that ensure a smooth transition into professional roles, contributing effectively from day one.
Since its inception in 2017, the SWPP has demonstrated a strong record of success, having placed over 11,000 students in valuable positions. This achievement is showcased in the report "Biosciences Booster: Student Work Placement Program propelling Canada’s bio-economy forward," outlining the positive impact on Canada’s bioscience landscape. The comprehensive support offered by the program aligns with strategic efforts to mitigate labour market shortages in the biosciences industry and provides a solid foundation for developing a robust pipeline of skilled professionals.
Organizations interested in leveraging SWPP for their upcoming projects should be mindful of the application timelines specific to each term. The program has updated its processes to ensure year-round access to funds and equal opportunities for employers to engage in workforce development. Although new applications for the 2024 summer term are now closed due to high demand, employers can prepare for the forthcoming fall and winter terms by understanding the nuanced guidelines and strategic planning frameworks provided by BioTalent Canada. Early submission when the application window opens is recommended to ensure access to funding, given the program's high demand and capacity limitations.
This initiative reflects a comprehensive effort to enhance Canada's bio-economy by nurturing the next generation of skilled workers through structured and financially supported placements. It stands as a testament to BioTalent Canada’s commitment to workforce excellence, ensuring that today's students can meet tomorrow’s challenges with confidence and capability.
