Cooperative Education Incentive
NS, Canada
Wage assistance for university and college co-operative students in Nova Scotia
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|noCondition
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateDecember 15, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateJanuary 15, 2024
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- grant_single|allIndustries
grant_single|grantors
- Labour and Advanced Education (NS)
- Government of Nova Scotia
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|closed
grant_single_labels|preview
Employers that pay a minimum of $15 per hour plus 4% vacation pay can be reimbursed $7.50 per hour to a maximum of 40 hours per week.
grant_single_labels|projects
This grant is available to organizations that want to hire co-operative education students enrolled at universities or colleges in Nova Scotia. The geographical focus is aligned with institutions located in this province.
- Organizations must hire students from universities or colleges in Nova Scotia.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$11,250
Hire co-op students for a digital marketing campaign for local non-profits
$9,600
Hire two co-op students to assist in the development of an e-commerce website
$9,450
Hire three co-op students to develop a mobile app for local businesses
$11,250
Offer career development opportunities to co-op students in the health sector
$4,500
Provide career-related work experience to co-op students in a sustainable farming project
$14,700
Engage co-op education students in renewable energy research
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the type of organization and the nature of the co-operative education placement.
- The organization must be a private-sector, government-funded, non-profit or charitable organization, social enterprise, or a municipality.
- The organization wants to hire a co-operative education student for a work term of 12 to 16 weeks.
- The organization will pay the student at least $18 per hour (plus vacation pay).
- The employment offered must be full-time work that meets the requirements of the student’s co-op program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Organizations eligible to apply for the Co-operative Education Incentive must be a private-sector company, a government-funded body, a non-profit or charitable organization, a social enterprise, or a municipality. These organizations must intend to hire a co-op education student for a work term of 12 to 16 weeks, offering full-time work that complies with the requirements of the student’s co-op program. Additionally, they should offer a wage of at least $18 per hour plus vacation pay to the student. The student must be enrolled in a co-operative education program at a Nova Scotia university or college.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
Some types of companies are not eligible for this grant. Eligibility criteria exclude the following types of organizations:
- Public-sector organizations
- Businesses not willing to hire a co-operative education student for a work term of 12 to 16 weeks
- Entities that do not pay the student at least $18 per hour (plus vacation pay) for full-time work
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
This grant supports activities that enable organizations to hire and integrate co-operative education students from Nova Scotia universities or colleges into their workforce for a specific period. The focus is on providing students with relevant work experiences related to their field of study.
- Hiring co-operative education students for work terms lasting 12 to 16 weeks.
- Providing career-related work opportunities that align with the students' co-op program requirements.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant provides wage subsidy for the employment of co-operative education students in eligible organizations.
- Wage assistance at $8 per hour for a co-op student.
- Increased wage assistance at $9.50 per hour if the student is a member of a designated diversity group.
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for the Co-operative Education Incentive (CO-OP) grant. These are:
- Organizations must be a private-sector, government-funded, non-profit, charitable organization, social enterprise, or municipality.
- Employers must pay the co-op student at least $18 per hour (plus vacation pay) for full-time work that meets the requirements of the student's co-op program.
- The student hired must be enrolled in a co-operative education program at a Nova Scotia university or college.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for the Co-operative Education Incentive:
- Step 1: Create or Sign Into LaMPSS Account
- Create a LaMPSS (Labour Market Programs Support System) account if you do not already have one.
- Sign into your existing LaMPSS account to begin the application process.
- Step 2: Gather Required Information
- Provide your organization’s Registry of Joint Stocks number, Canada Revenue Agency charities number, or a copy of legal documentation or legislative act that identifies how assets will be distributed upon dissolution of the organization.
- Prepare a description of your organization and the role you wish to fill with a co-op student.
- Ensure you have separate applications ready if you are hiring students in more than one county.
- Step 3: Complete and Submit Application Form
- Log into your account and complete the online application form.
- Review your application for accuracy and completeness.
- Submit the application during the specified application period for the desired co-op term.
- Step 4: Post-Approval Obligations
- If approved, return a signed contract to the funding body.
- Provide information about the student you hire, ensuring proof of enrollment in a co-operative education program and have the student sign a waiver for information use.
- Step 5: End-of-Program Requirements
- Provide proof of wages paid using the Payroll Declaration Form and include a copy of the student’s Record of Employment.
- Complete a feedback survey about the program.
- Ensure your student also completes a feedback survey about their experience.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here are additional relevant details for this grant:
- The program provides a higher wage subsidy rate of $9.50 per hour for students who are members of designated diversity groups compared to the standard rate of $8.00 per hour.
- The student must work a minimum of 390 hours, and the program will reimburse up to 640 hours of work.
- If hiring co-op students in more than one county, separate applications must be submitted for each location.
- Documentation such as the organization's Registry of Joint Stocks number or equivalent legal documentation is required to apply.
- At the end of the program, a feedback survey is required from both the employer and the student.
grant_single_labels|contact
yepinfo@novascotia.ca
902-424-6000
Apply to this program
Funding Opportunity for Co-operative Education in Nova Scotia
The Co-operative Education Incentive (CO-OP) provides a significant wage subsidy to organizations in Nova Scotia, encouraging them to provide hands-on, career-related work experiences to students enrolled in cooperative education programs. This program aims to enhance youth employment by bridging the gap between academia and the professional environment, benefiting both students and prospective employers.
Detailed Overview of the Co-op Education Incentive Program
The Co-operative Education Incentive (CO-OP) in Nova Scotia offers a strategic approach to fostering youth employment through experiential learning. This initiative provides crucial financial support to a diverse array of organizations, including private sector businesses, government-funded entities, nonprofits, charitable organizations, social enterprises, and municipalities. By participating in this program, employers gain access to a pool of skilled and eager students ready to contribute to their operations, while students receive practical training and work exposure that is invaluable for their career progression.
Specifically, the CO-OP program offers employers a wage subsidy of $8 per hour, which increases to $9.50 for students belonging to designated diversity groups. This financial support significantly offsets the costs associated with hiring co-op students for work placements that last between 12 and 16 weeks, with the possibility of extending up to 32 weeks for specific educational programs. Such flexibility enables employers to tailor work terms according to operational needs while ensuring compliance with educational demands.
Employers are encouraged to hire students who are enrolled in cooperative education programs at Nova Scotia universities or colleges, as they are already equipped with foundational knowledge and skills pertinent to their fields of study. Furthermore, the program mandates that students work a minimum of 390 hours, with the potential for reimbursement for up to 640 hours, making it a cost-effective strategy for expanding the workforce and fostering innovative ideas within the organization.
To leverage this opportunity, organizations must submit applications during the designated windows, which align with academic schedules: December 15 to January 15 for the summer term, April 15 to May 15 for the fall term, and August 15 to September 16 for the winter term. This ensures a seamless integration of educational objectives with business timelines, ultimately facilitating a cohesive work-study experience.
The application process is streamlined through the LaMPSS online portal, where organizations must provide essential documentation such as the Registry of Joint Stocks number or equivalent proof of their operational legitimacy. Upon approval, a signed contract solidifies the partnership with the CO-OP program, requiring additional information such as proof of the student’s enrollment in a cooperative education program and consent for information usage.
Participants in the program are also obligated to complete feedback surveys and provide detailed payroll declarations and employment records to substantiate the wage subsidy claims. This accountability ensures transparency and effective monitoring of the program’s impacts on youth employment and educational outcomes.
The Co-op Education Incentive not only helps bridge the skills gap by aligning academic knowledge with real-world application but also assists organizations in cultivating a dynamic and innovative workforce capable of driving future success. Engagement in this incentive program represents a mutually beneficial relationship wherein students gain valuable industry experience while organizations benefit from fresh perspectives and diversified talent pools, ultimately contributing to Nova Scotia's economic growth and workforce development.
