How much funding can be received?

Get a wage subsidy of up to $5,000 per student when you provide work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for post-secondary students, including remote work placements in the field of electricity and up to a maximum of $7,000 per placement for underrep

grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions

The Empowering Futures Program provides substantial wage subsidies to employers facilitating work-integrated learning experiences for students. These funding modalities are designed to reduce financial barriers and encourage participation in the program.

Subsidy reimbursement covers 50% of the student’s gross wages, up to a maximum of $5,000 per placement.
A higher subsidy rate of 70% is available, up to $7,000 per placement, for specific groups such as first-year students, women in STEM, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous peoples.

grant_single_labels|projects

The Empowering Futures Program is designed to support initiatives that create meaningful work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students in the electricity industry. These activities are aimed at enhancing talent pools and building the future workforce within the sector through financial incentives and collaborative partnerships.

Creation of new co-op or internship placements that provide practical experience in the electricity sector.
Funding support for positions that must be net new, exceeding previous fiscal year hiring numbers by the employer.
Development of learning plans collaboratively by employers and students to ensure impactful knowledge acquisition.
Introduction of placements that are aligned with participants’ field of study in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, arts, or business.
Incorporation of activities that foster professional skills such as active listening, collaboration, and social perceptiveness through work placements.

grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample

$ 5,000

Co-op placement for an environmental science student at a non-profit organization

$ 5,000

Internship for a marketing student at a financial cooperative

$ 5,000

Capstone project for an information systems student at a social economy enterprise

$ 7,000

Hire an electrical engineering student for a 4-month internship

$ 7,000

Internship for a software development student at a tech startup

$ 7,000

Co-op for a mechanical engineering student at a manufacturing company

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Employer Organizations are eligible for the Empowering Futures grant if they meet the following criteria:

The organization must be a Canadian-owned company.
The primary activity of the company should be the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity.
The company can be involved in sector support activities such as research and development, business development, or energy efficiency, including renewables.
Companies engaged in manufacturing equipment or providing services necessary for generation, transmission, or distribution are also eligible.
Post-secondary institutions are not eligible to receive funding.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

The Empowering Futures Program is open to Canadian-owned companies operating in the electricity sector, which includes firms involved in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. This also encompasses companies engaged in sector support like research and development, business development, and energy efficiency initiatives. Additionally, firms involved in manufacturing equipment or providing services essential for electricity generation, transmission, or distribution are eligible. Applicants must ensure that their organizational activities align with these specified domains to qualify for funding under the program.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

This grant program is targeted at specific sectors within the electricity industry, thereby excluding certain companies and industries not aligned with its objectives.

Non-Canadian-owned companies.
Firms not engaged in the generation, transmission, or distribution of electricity.
Organizations not involved in renewables, R&D, business development, or energy efficiency within the electricity sector.
Companies not involved in manufacturing equipment or providing services necessary for the electricity industry.
Post-secondary institutions.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

The Empowering Futures grant supports projects and activities that create new Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) opportunities for students in Canada’s electricity industry. These projects are designed to bridge the gap between education and employment, helping students gain relevant experience while contributing to the workforce.

Creation of co-op positions for students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, arts, or business programs.
Development of internships that align with the students' academic studies and career aspirations.
Establishment of apprenticeships that provide hands-on experience and skill-building opportunities in the electricity sector.
Facilitation of applied projects or capstone projects that enhance students’ practical knowledge and industry readiness.
Conducting case competitions that encourage innovative problem-solving and industry engagement among students.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The Empowering Futures Program applies to eligible employers throughout Canada, aligned with the national scope of the Student Work Placement Program.

All provinces and territories in Canada.

grant_single_labels|criteria

The Empowering Futures Program has specific eligibility requirements for organizations, participants, and the nature of employment opportunities, serving as evaluation and selection criteria to determine grant funding suitability. These criteria ensure that applicants align with the program's objectives to provide meaningful work-integrated learning opportunities for students in the Canadian electricity sector.

Must be a Canadian-owned company.
Primary activities must include generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity or sector support in areas like renewables, R&D, business development, and energy efficiency.
Eligible participants must be full-time or part-time post-secondary students who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons with refugee protection in Canada, legally able to work in Canada.
Employment positions must provide a full or part-time work opportunity for students enrolled in STEM, arts, or business programs and must not be funded by another federal program.
Employers must not recruit friends or family members without nepotism policies in place and provide meaningful work-integrated learning opportunities for at least 12 weeks (exceptions possible).
Retroactive applications for funding are not accepted.
Employers must adhere to the "net new" rule, demonstrating that EHRC funding increased the number of students hired compared to the previous fiscal year.
Placements should not exceed one year, and the same student cannot be funded for the same type of employment with the same employer more than once.
Employers must develop a Formal Learning Plan with the participant and provide monthly financial claims and progress reports.
Reimbursement: Standard is 50% of gross pay, up to $5,000; increased reimbursement is 70%, up to $7,000 for first-year students, women in STEM, newcomers, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous Peoples.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to apply for the Empowering Futures grant:

Step 1: Employer Submits Application
- Access the application portal provided by Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC).
- Fill out the employer application form with required organizational information.
- Ensure all eligibility criteria for the employer are met before submission.
Step 2: Participant Sends Eligibility Form
- Each student participant must complete and submit an eligibility form.
- Ensure participant details align with program requirements.
Step 3: Application Processing
- Wait for up to 10 business days for the application to be processed.
Step 4: Contract Signing
- For successful placements, sign the contract along with EHRC and the participant.
Step 5: Create a Learning Plan
- Collaborate with the participant to develop a Formal Learning Plan before the placement starts.
Step 6: Submission of Monthly Claims
- Monthly financial claims for subsidy reimbursement must be submitted by the employer.
- Include wage proofs and other required documentation.
Step 7: Evaluation Surveys
- Complete the evaluation survey for both the employer and the participant at the end of the placement.

grant_single_labels|otherInfo

Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

Employers must provide proof of co-op placement employment and related documentation upon request.
A Formal Learning Plan must be developed with the participant before the start of the placement.
Monthly financial claims and progress reports for each student are required.
Placements should be at least 12 weeks long, although exceptions can be discussed.
The program offers professional skills training courses to participants free of charge, enhancing their skill sets beyond technical knowledge.
Employers and participants must complete evaluation surveys at the end of the funded placement.

grant_single_labels|documents

Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program

grant_single_labels|contact

turnin@ehrc.ca

613.235.5540

Apply to this program

Empowering Workforce Development Through Work-Integrated Learning

The Empowering Futures Program offers wage subsidies up to $7,000 to Canadian employers to promote work-integrated learning opportunities for students in the electricity sector. This initiative aims to enhance skill development, create employment opportunities, and strengthen the industry workforce.

In-Depth Understanding of the Empowering Futures Grant Program

The Empowering Futures Program is a strategic initiative by Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) aimed at integrating post-secondary students into the Canadian electricity workforce through a range of practical work placements. Funded by the Government of Canada under the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), the initiative offers financial incentives to employers ready to create new work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for students. The primary goal of the program is to build a future-ready workforce by bridging the gap between academic education and practical occupational experiences.

Integral to the electricity industry, this program covers companies involved in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and allied sectors including renewables, research and development, and energy efficiency enhancement. By providing up to $7,000 per placement, the program not only alleviates financial burdens for employers but also enhances their ability to recruit innovative talent that can drive industry advancements.

Empowering Futures places strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion by offering increased subsidies to first-year students, women in STEM, newcomers to Canada, persons with disabilities, and Indigenous Peoples. This strategic vision aligns with the broader national objectives of promoting social equity and providing equal opportunities to underrepresented groups in the STEM fields.

The program encourages employers to foster environments that support meaningful learning experiences. Employers must meet eligibility criteria to ensure placements are beneficial and contribute actively to the students' educational journey. This involves developing formal learning plans, providing consistent feedback, and facilitating substantial workplace exposure to tasks relevant to the students' field of study. The program also accentuates the importance of ethics by precluding placements facilitated through nepotism, thus maintaining integrity in the recruitment process.

The benefit for employers extends beyond financial incentives—they gain early access to a talent pool of motivated students, allowing them a resource-efficient means of evaluating potential future employees. Such placements also provide students with invaluable industry insights, honing their skills and boosting their confidence as they transition smoothly from academia into the professional realm.

The oversight of the program involves collaborative engagements between EHRC, industry stakeholders, and educational institutions across Canada. A steering committee ensures the projects adhere to strategic priorities, effectively addressing the evolving demands of the electricity sector. By fostering partnerships between academia and industry, Empowering Futures supports innovation, research, and development that are critical to sustaining the sector's growth and competitiveness on a global scale.

Ultimately, the Empowering Futures Program is a forward-thinking initiative that positions Canada’s electricity industry to harness the potential of its future workforce. Through support and collaboration, it aims to cultivate an innovative, inclusive, and skilled workforce ready to meet both present and future challenges in the dynamic energy sector.