How much funding can be received?

Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $7000 per project.

What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Who are the financial supporters of the Propel – Student Work Placement Program?

Propel – Student Work Placement Program is funded by Tourism HR Canada

What are Propel – Student Work Placement Program's eligibility criterias?

Registered Canadian business or startup in the tourism or hospitality sector The position must be a work-integrated learning (WIL) placement "Net new" placement criteria apply if previously offered paid WIL placements

Propel – Student Work Placement Program

Last Update: May 12, 2025

Canada

Wage subsidy for tourism employers hiring post-secondary students

Propel – Student Work Placement Program at a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $7,000
Up to 50% of project cost

Timeline

Continuous Intakes

Financing Type

Wage Subsidies And Interns

Eligible Industries

Arts, entertainment and recreation
Accommodation and food services
Other services (except public administration)

Grant Providers

Tourism HR Canada

Status

Open

Overview of the Propel – Student Work Placement Program program

Propel – Student Work Placement Program provides a wage subsidy covering up to $7,000 for employers in the tourism and hospitality sector who hire post-secondary students for work-integrated learning placements. The program aims to support paid co-op, internship, and other hands-on opportunities that help students gain industry-relevant skills.

Financing terms and conditions

Wage subsidies provided for paid work-integrated learning positions; specific percentage or maximum funding amount not specified in the available documentation.
Subsidy covers total gross wages, excluding gratuities and commissions.

Eligible projects & activities

Creation of paid, work-integrated learning placements for post-secondary students in tourism and hospitality.
Development of co-op, internship, or practicum opportunities in collaboration with recognized educational institutions.
Implementation of on-site, remote, or hybrid work experiences related to tourism or hospitality job functions.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 7,000

Hiring culinary student for summer internship at boutique hotel

$ 7,000

Supporting hospitality intern at eco-lodge through college co-op

$ 6,600

Internship for marketing student to promote city sightseeing tours

$ 7,000

Hospitality student placement at rural lodge for front desk support

$ 7,000

Employing event management student for festival planning internship

Eligibility criteria of the Propel – Student Work Placement Program program

The applicant must be a registered Canadian business, startup, or not-for-profit operating in or related to the tourism and hospitality sector.
The position must be a paid work-integrated learning (WIL) placement for a student.
The placement must be connected to tourism/hospitality roles, such as accommodations, food and beverage services, recreation and entertainment, transportation, or travel services.
The company must hire the student as an employee (not as an independent contractor).

Who is eligible?

Accommodations businesses
Food and beverage services
Recreation and entertainment organizations
Transportation companies
Travel services providers

Who is not eligible

Companies whose main activity is not related to the tourism or hospitality sector, or not related to a tourism/hospitality job function.
Employers seeking to hire students as independent contractors rather than as employees.
Organizations intending to hire immediate family members without a clear, transparent, and fair nepotism policy.
Employers intending to replace displaced workers or fill roles left vacant due to a labour dispute.
Employers whose placements are already funded by other federal government grants or programs.

Eligible expenses

Wages paid to post-secondary students during eligible work-integrated learning placements.
Total gross wages for the duration of the student's placement (excluding gratuities and commissions).

Eligible geographic areas

Businesses registered anywhere in Canada.

Eligibility criteria of the Propel – Student Work Placement Program program

Submission of all required supporting documents within the specified deadlines.
Accuracy and compliance of the information provided in the internship reports and required documents.
Adherence to prescribed document formats and templates (e.g., mandatory invoice form).
Verification of the integrity of submitted documents to prevent any fraud or inaccuracies.

How to apply to the Propel – Student Work Placement Program program

Register your organization on the Propel online portal
Create an account to access the grant application system

Post the job offer

Post the job opening for a work-integrated learning position
Ensure the position meets eligibility criteria (tourism/hospitality sector, minimum duration and hours)

Hire a qualified student

Select and hire a qualified student enrolled in a recognized post-secondary institution
Ensure the student meets program requirements (domestic, in eligible program, not replacing a displaced worker)

Submit wage subsidy application

Apply for the wage subsidy through the Propel portal for the hired student
Fill in all required fields and upload preliminary documents as instructed

Await application review

Wait for the review and processing of your subsidy application by the Propel team
Respond to any follow-up requests for additional information if required

Submit required supporting documents

Collect and submit all required supporting documents after the placement is complete (e.g., paystubs, report, invoice, direct deposit form)
Ensure all forms are properly filled and submitted within the specified timeframe

Receive wage subsidy payment

Receive the wage subsidy payment from Tourism HR Canada after successful review of all documents

Additional information

Employers must submit all supporting documents within the specified deadlines indicated on the checklist provided by the program.
Wage subsidy payments are processed by Tourism HR Canada upon receipt of all complete supporting documents.
If any fraudulent documentation is detected, current and future applications may be cancelled and the employer may be barred from the program.
Employers must use only the official fillable invoice form provided by the program; other formats are not accepted.