
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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