Closed
Source verified July 22, 2026
Student Summer Skills Incentive
Wage support for summer student hiring
Get notified when Student Summer Skills Incentive reopens
Latest source updateLast Update: September 25, 2026Latest change: The SKILL guidelines and program page now show a later 2026-2027 application window, revised job-eligibility rules, and updated SKILL-WIL documentation requirements.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: September 25, 2026
Latest change: The SKILL guidelines and program page now show a later 2026-2027 application window, revised job-eligibility rules, and updated SKILL-WIL documentation requirements.
SKILL program rules updated
We detected changes to eligibility, funding terms, application process, timeline and deadlines, scope and target audience.
Funding available
$ 9,600
Deadline
January 31, 2027
Opened December 15, 2026
Location
Nova Scotia, Canada
Overview
This program provides wage subsidies for non-profit, charitable, and social enterprise organizations hiring post-secondary students for summer jobs. It also offers higher support for eligible work-integrated learning placements, with up to $10.50 per hour reimbursed under regular SKILL and $11.50 per hour for designated diversity groups.
Receipt of requests is now closed
Get notified about updates to this grant.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Attract or retain talent
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 9,600 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Nova Scotia
Legal structures
- Non-profit
- Public or Parapublic institution
- Social economy enterprise
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
- Persons with Disabilities
- Other Racialized Persons
- Black Canadians
- Youth (<40)
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Employment and Training
- Grant-making Foundations
- Children and Youth Organizations
- Diversity and Inclusion
Target groups
- Nonprofits / charities
- Academia / students
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Provincial
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 2
Activities funded
- Summer jobs for post-secondary students
- Co-op, internship, or other work-integrated learning placements
- Jobs that include activities contributing to future employment for a post-secondary student
- SKILL-WIL jobs that make a meaningful contribution to a student’s studies
Documents Needed
- Your charity number, active Society Act number or other legal documentation of your organization’s legal structure
- A completed Student Information Form
- A copy of the student’s transcript, or a letter that shows the student’s work term will contribute to their studies
- Pay Declaration
Official resources
Application form
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Not-for-profit organizations
- Social enterprises
- Registered charities
Who is not eligible
- Businesses that are not non-profit, charitable, or social enterprise organizations
- Employers already receiving other government employment funding for the same position
Eligible expenses
- Student wages for eligible summer work terms
- Wage support for eligible work-integrated learning placements
- Advance funding of up to 60% of approved support
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Jobs that consist primarily of manual labour or low-skilled tasks
Eligible geographic areas
- Nova Scotia
- Separate applications are required for positions in different counties
Selection criteria
- The type and quality of the work, including challenge, responsibility, and the sorts of skills required by the job.
- The proposed wage.
- The employer’s track record with SKILL and other programs.
- The organization’s impact on the community.
- An equitable distribution of opportunity through the province and available program funding.
How to apply
- When you apply online, create a LaMPSS account or sign in.
- Apply for SKILL by clicking Start Now on the program website.
- Use one application if all positions will be at the same location or in the same county.
- Submit separate applications if you are applying for positions in more than one county.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed after the intake period closes.
- Program staff assess the position, wage, employer track record, community impact, diversity commitment, and available funding.
- Decisions are normally sent in March by email.
- If approved, the employer must sign a funding agreement in LaMPSS.
- After the student is hired, the employer must submit required forms before payment is confirmed.
Additional information
- The program is administered by Nova Scotia’s Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration.
- Applications are normally reviewed in March after the intake closes.
- Approved employers are contacted by email and receive an agreement number.
- A separate application is required for positions in different counties.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Student Summer Skills Incentive Program
What is the Student Summer Skills Incentive?
This program provides wage subsidies for non-profit, charitable, and social enterprise organizations hiring post-secondary students for summer jobs. It also offers higher support for eligible work-integrated learning placements, with up to $10.50 per hour reimbursed under regular SKILL and $11.50 per hour for designated diversity groups.
How much funding can be received?
Student Summer Skills Incentive Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $9,600 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The application deadline for this grant program was January 31, 2027.
Who is eligible for the Student Summer Skills Incentive program?
To be eligible for the Student Summer Skills Incentive program, you must:
Registered non-profit, charity, or social enterprise
Summer student job of 8 to 14 weeks
No other government funding for the same position
What expenses are eligible under Student Summer Skills Incentive?
Summer jobs for post-secondary students
Co-op, internship, or other work-integrated learning placements
Jobs that include activities contributing to future employment for a post-secondary student
SKILL-WIL jobs that make a meaningful contribution to a student’s studies
Who can I contact for more information about the Student Summer Skills Incentive?
You can contact Government of Nova Scotia by email at yepinfo@novascotia.ca or by phone at 902 424-6000.
Where is the Student Summer Skills Incentive available?
The Student Summer Skills Incentive program is available the province of Nova Scotia.