The Co-operative Education Incentive provides wage assistance to help employers engage university and college co-operative students in career-related work experiences. The financing modalities are structured to ensure employers receive adequate subsidies for hiring co-op students.

Wage subsidy of $8 per hour provided for each student engaged through the program, increasing to $9.50 per hour if the student is from a designated diversity group.
The subsidy covers wages for work up to 640 hours, with a minimum requirement of 390 hours per student work term.
32-week work terms may qualify for additional subsidy amounts as determined by specific educational program requirements, to be confirmed with a Co-op Coordinator.
The compensation for students must be at least $18 per hour (including vacation pay), qualifying the employer for the subsidy.
Program provides funds contingent on the student's enrollment in a co-operative education program at a designated Nova Scotia university or college.

Activities funded

Hiring a co-operative education student for a 12 to 16-week work term.
Providing career-related work experiences that align with the student’s co-op program requirements.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 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

Eligibility

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.

Who is eligible?

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.

Who is not eligible

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

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.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is specifically for organizations hiring co-op education students from universities or colleges in Nova Scotia, Canada. Eligible areas are thus constrained to where these educational institutions are located.

Organizations connected with Nova Scotia universities or colleges.

Selection 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.

How to apply

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Additional information

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.

Contacts

yepinfo@novascotia.ca

902-424-6000

NS, Canada

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Cooperative Education Incentive Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Cooperative Education Incentive. This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Cooperative Education Incentive?

How much funding can be received?

What expenses are eligible under Cooperative Education Incentive?

The Cooperative Education Incentive focuses on supporting employers who offer career-related work experiences for co-op students. Eligible activities primarily involve hiring and employing students for meaningful work placements. Hiring a co-operative education student for a 12 to 16-week work term. Providing career-related work experiences that align with the student’s co-op program requirements.

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Cooperative Education Incentive a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Cooperative Education Incentive?

Who is eligible for the Cooperative Education Incentive program?

To be eligible for the Cooperative Education Incentive program, you must: The organization must be a private-sector, government-funded, non-profit or charitable organization, social enterprise or a municipality. The organization must hire a co-operative education student for a work term of 12 to 16 weeks. The organization must pay the student at least $18 per hour (plus vacation pay) for full-time work that meets the requirements of the student's co-op program.

Who can I contact for more information about the Cooperative Education Incentive?

Where is the Cooperative Education Incentive available?

Are youth (under 40) eligible for the Cooperative Education Incentive program?

Apply to this program