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Source verified August 11, 2026
Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program
Electricity-sector student work placements in Canada
Latest source updateLast Update: April 9, 2026Latest change: Empowering Futures now lists a lower maximum incentive and revised eligibility language for students and participating employers.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: April 9, 2026
Latest change: Empowering Futures now lists a lower maximum incentive and revised eligibility language for students and participating employers.
Empowering Futures terms updated
Empowering Futures now states a maximum incentive of up to $5,000 per placement instead of $7,000, and the eligibility wording has been updated for participants and employers. The page also adds a 2026 alignment requirement for the work placement and changes the Net New rule so it applies only to medium and large businesses with 100+ full-time employees as of April 1, 2026. The application steps, contact details, and overall program scope appear largely unchanged in the visible content.
Funding available
$ 7,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
Empowering Futures supports Canadian-owned electricity-sector employers across Canada with wage subsidies of up to $7,000 to create new student work-integrated learning opportunities. Eligible placements include co-ops, internships, and work placements tied to students’ studies, helping employers hire post-secondary students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, arts, or business programs.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Develop strategic partnerships
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 7,000 $
- Up to 70% of project cost
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.
- Co-ops.
- Internships.
- Work placements tied to students’ studies.
Documents Needed
- Eligibility form, including the Participant Information and Information on Employment Equity sections.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian-owned companies.
- Firms whose primary activity is the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity.
- Firms supporting the electricity sector, including renewables, in R & D, business development, or energy efficiency.
- Firms manufacturing equipment or providing services necessary for generation, transmission or distribution.
Who is not eligible
- Post-secondary institutions.
Eligible expenses
- The student’s gross paystubs for eligible placements.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Wages already funded by another federally funded program
- Retroactive applications
- Placements based on friends or family members without an approved nepotism policy
- Placements longer than one year
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Net new placement count compared with the employer's baseline
- Student eligibility and placement fit
- Placement meets program duration requirements
- Application completeness and required information provided
How to apply
- Create an account.
- The employer submits an online application for the placements to be funded.
- The participant completes the online eligibility form sent to their email.
Processing and Agreement
- Once the eligibility form is submitted, it will be reviewed by EHRC’s team.
- Processing time is under 10 business days.
- If the placement is approved, a contract for successful placements is signed by the employer, participant, and EHRC.
- The employer and participant create a learning plan.
- The employer submits monthly claims for reimbursement.
- The employer and participant complete evaluation surveys at the end of the placement.
Additional information
- Participants can access EHRC’s Professional Skills Training Program free of charge.
- Employers may receive tailored Diversity, Equity and Inclusion training.
- Employers may post openings on EHRC’s national Electricity Sector Job Board.
- Employers may use EHRC’s Mentor Junction mentorship program.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program Program
What is the Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program?
Empowering Futures supports Canadian-owned electricity-sector employers across Canada with wage subsidies of up to $7,000 to create new student work-integrated learning opportunities. Eligible placements include co-ops, internships, and work placements tied to students’ studies, helping employers hire post-secondary students in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, arts, or business programs.
How much funding can be received?
Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program Funds up to 70% of admissible expenses, capped at $7,000 per project.
Who is eligible for the Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program program?
To be eligible for the Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program program, you must:
The applicant must be a Canadian-owned company in the electricity sector.
The placement must be a meaningful work-integrated learning opportunity and generally last at least 12 weeks.
As of April 1, 2026, the placement must align with the participating student’s post-secondary education program.
What expenses are eligible under Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program?
Create new Work-Integrated Learning opportunities.
Co-ops.
Internships.
Work placements tied to students’ studies.
Who can I contact for more information about the Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program?
You can contact Electricity Human Resources Canada (EHRC) by email at turnin@ehrc.ca or by phone at 613-235-5540 ext. 243.
Where is the Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program available?
The Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program program is available across Canada.
Is the Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Empowering Futures — Student Work Placement Program is a Wage Subsidies And Interns