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Source verified September 14, 2026
ICTC — Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital
Wage subsidy for hiring post-secondary students
Latest source updateLast Update: September 11, 2026Latest change: WIL Digital now shows Winter 2027 intake timing, including an October 5, 2026 opening and a February 15, 2027 deadline.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 11, 2026
Latest change: WIL Digital now shows Winter 2027 intake timing, including an October 5, 2026 opening and a February 15, 2027 deadline.
WIL Digital Winter 2027 intake dates added
The WIL Digital page now includes Winter 2027 intake dates: applications open October 5, 2026 at 9:00 AM EDT, placements must end by March 31, 2027, and applications are due February 15, 2027. The page also adds a Fall 2026 funding reminder stating that funding remains available while the intake stays open.
Funding available
$ 5,000
Deadline
February 15, 2027
Opened July 15, 2026
Location
Canada
Overview
WIL Digital provides employers in Canada with a wage subsidy of up to 50% of a student’s salary, to a maximum of $5,000, for paid work-integrated learning placements. Eligible placements must align with the student’s post-secondary program and offer meaningful digital or technology-focused work experience.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Develop team skills
- Attract or retain talent
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- For-profit business
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- All industries
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- All structures
Scope
- All dimensions
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Hiring post-secondary students for paid work placements.
- Providing work-integrated learning aligned with the student’s post-secondary program.
- Offering digital or ICT-focused placements.
Documents Needed
- A valid void cheque or a letter issued by your financial institution verifying your company’s banking details.
- A valid and up-to-date proof of enrollment document from a Canadian-accredited post-secondary institution.
- Accepted proof of enrollment can include an official or unofficial transcript, an academic history or advisement report, a letter from the school or co-op office, a screenshot of the student portal, or another proof of enrollment or registration document.
Official resources
Program guide
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Registered businesses in Canada.
- Not-for-profit organizations in Canada.
- Charities in Canada.
Who is not eligible
- Federal, provincial, territorial or municipal governments.
- Organizations that are extensions of a federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal government, such as crown corporations, hospitals, public long-term care facilities, public or private schools, and post-secondary institutions.
- Members of the House of Commons and the Senate.
- Organizations that engage in partisan political activities.
- Financial sector employers with 500 or more employees.
Eligible expenses
- Student wages or salary paid to the student.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Work placements in trades and apprenticeships.
- Clinical hours in healthcare.
- Articling hours for lawyers.
- Retroactive placements.
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- ICTC reserves the right to prioritize applications from high-demand sectors within the digital economy.
How to apply
- Identify the student you plan to hire.
- Log in to WIL Digital - ICTC Programs and register for an account if needed.
- Select Apply to start the Eligibility Criteria Pre-Screen.
- Complete the Eligibility Criteria Pre-screen for each intended student placement.
- If the application proceeds, wait for the email notification and allow 24-48 hours for the application to unlock.
- Complete Steps 1 to 6 in the portal, and the application is automatically submitted for review when the student completes their section.
Processing and Agreement
- After submission, the application review process typically takes 5–10 business days.
- ICTC may pause the review process if it has questions, needs clarification, or requires additional information or supporting documents.
- Funding is not guaranteed until ICTC and your organization have both signed the contract, and the contract must be signed within five business days of receiving the contract offer or by the placement start date, whichever comes first.
- Payroll information must be submitted within 15 days following the end of the placement, and subsidy payments are issued within 4–6 weeks after payroll verification.
Additional information
- Students participating in WIL Digital can access free self-paced online courses through Cisco Networking Academy in high-demand digital fields.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the ICTC — Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital Program
What is the ICTC — Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital?
WIL Digital provides employers in Canada with a wage subsidy of up to 50% of a student’s salary, to a maximum of $5,000, for paid work-integrated learning placements. Eligible placements must align with the student’s post-secondary program and offer meaningful digital or technology-focused work experience.
How much funding can be received?
ICTC — Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the ICTC — Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital program?
To be eligible for the ICTC — Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital program, you must:
Be a registered business, not-for-profit organization, or charity in Canada.
Hire the student as an employee, not as a contractor, and have the financial capacity to pay them for the full work term.
Offer a high-quality digital or technology-immersive placement aligned with the student’s post-secondary program.
What expenses are eligible under ICTC — Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital?
Hiring post-secondary students for paid work placements.
Providing work-integrated learning aligned with the student’s post-secondary program.
Offering digital or ICT-focused placements.
Who can I contact for more information about the ICTC — Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital?
You can contact Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC) by email at wil_digital@ictc-ctic.ca or by phone at +1 (613)-237-8551 ext. 159.
Where is the ICTC — Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital available?
The ICTC — Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Digital program is available across Canada.