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Source verified March 4, 2026
EHRC — Empowering Futures
Support for WIL placements in electricity
Latest source updateLast Update: April 9, 2026Latest change: Empowering Futures now offers up to $5,000 per placement, with updated eligibility rules and a new April 1, 2026 placement alignment requirement.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Latest change: Empowering Futures now offers up to $5,000 per placement, with updated eligibility rules and a new April 1, 2026 placement alignment requirement.
Empowering Futures funding and eligibility updated
Empowering Futures now shows a lower maximum incentive of $5,000 per placement, and the increased subsidy tier was removed. The program also adds an April 1, 2026 alignment requirement for placements and narrows the net new requirement to medium and large businesses, while the contact person and phone/email details have changed.
Funding available
$ 5,000 - $ 10,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Opened February 18, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
Empowering Futures provides up to $5,000 per placement to support new Work-Integrated Learning opportunities in the electricity industry. It funds meaningful student placements, including co-ops, internships, and work placements tied to students’ studies.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Conduct research and development activities
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 10,000 $
- Minimum amount : 5,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Newcomers to Canada
- Canadians
- Youth (<40)
- Women
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Create new Work-Integrated Learning opportunities for students.
- Offer co-ops, internships, and work placements tied to students’ studies.
- Build partnerships between employers and post-secondary institutions.
Documents Needed
- Participant eligibility form
- Contract for the placement
- Formal Learning Plan
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian-owned companies in the electricity sector.
- Organizations supporting the sector through R&D, business development, or energy efficiency.
- Firms that manufacture equipment or provide services for electricity generation, transmission, or distribution.
- Post-secondary institutions are not eligible.
Who is not eligible
- Post-secondary institutions.
Eligible expenses
- Student wages for eligible placements.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Wages already funded by another federally funded program.
- Retroactive applications.
- Placements longer than one year.
- Recruitment or retention of friends or family members without a sufficient nepotism policy.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant. Employers and participants are evaluated based on specific requirements to determine eligibility for funding.
- Employer Organization Eligibility
- Participant Eligibility
- Employment Eligibility
- Net New Rule
- Subsidy Reimbursement for Students
How to apply
- Step 1: Create an account
- Set up your organization account on the platform.
- Enter the required organization details.
- Step 2: Submit the application
- Use the dashboard to start a funding request.
- Submit the employer application for the placement.
- Step 3: Participant eligibility form
- The participant completes and submits the eligibility form.
- Step 4: Review and contract
- EHRC reviews the submission.
- If approved, a contract is signed by the employer, participant, and EHRC.
- Step 5: Learning Plan and claims
- The employer and participant create the Learning Plan.
- The employer submits monthly claims for reimbursement.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after submission.
- Processing time is up to 10 business days.
- Successful placements require a contract signed by the employer, participant, and EHRC.
- The employer and participant then create a Learning Plan.
- Monthly reimbursement claims and progress reports follow during the placement.
Additional information
- Processing time is up to 10 business days.
- A contract is signed for successful placements.
- A formal Learning Plan must be created before the placement starts.
- Monthly financial claims and progress reports are required.
Frequently Asked Questions about the EHRC — Empowering Futures Program
What is the EHRC — Empowering Futures?
Empowering Futures provides up to $5,000 per placement to support new Work-Integrated Learning opportunities in the electricity industry. It funds meaningful student placements, including co-ops, internships, and work placements tied to students’ studies.
How much funding can be received?
EHRC — Empowering Futures Funds up to $10,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the EHRC — Empowering Futures program?
To be eligible for the EHRC — Empowering Futures program, you must:
Canadian-owned employers in electricity.
Meaningful WIL placement for a post-secondary student.
Placement must meet program rules.
What expenses are eligible under EHRC — Empowering Futures?
Create new Work-Integrated Learning opportunities for students.
Offer co-ops, internships, and work placements tied to students’ studies.
Build partnerships between employers and post-secondary institutions.
Who can I contact for more information about the EHRC — Empowering Futures?
You can contact Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC).
Where is the EHRC — Empowering Futures available?
The EHRC — Empowering Futures program is available across Canada.
Is the EHRC — Empowering Futures a grant, loan, or tax credit?
EHRC — Empowering Futures is a Wage Subsidies And Interns