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Propel – Student Work Placement Program - Canada

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

$ 7,000

Hospitality student placement at rural lodge for front desk support

$ 6,600

Internship for marketing student to promote city sightseeing tours

$ 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

1
Register on the Propel portal
  • Register your organization on the Propel online portal
  • Create an account to access the grant application system
2
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)
3
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)
4
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
5
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
6
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
7
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.

Contact Tourism HR Canada

propel@tourismhr.ca
1-800-486-9158

Apply to this program

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