How much funding can be received?

Get a wage subsidy of up to $7,000/student to cover up to 70% of your costs when you hire post-secondary students on work-integrated learning (WIL) placements in your business or not-for-profit organization.

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This grant is available to companies operating throughout Canada, without restrictions to any specific geographical regions within the country. The aim is to support national engagement in student work placements across diverse industry sectors.

Businesses located anywhere in Canada.

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$7,000

Establishing a mentorship program for new immigrants in the tech industry

$7,000

Launch a community garden initiative to promote urban agriculture

$7,000

Implementing an educational recycling campaign in local schools

$6,300

Creating a digital archive for local historical documents and photographs

$7,000

Developing a mobile app for local farmers to sell produce directly to consumers

$7,000

Setting up a tutoring program for high school students in mathematics and science

grant_single_labels|admissibility

Eligibility for the Talent Opportunities Program is determined by specific criteria concerning the employer's profile and employment practices.

The employer must be a registered Canadian business or not-for-profit organization.
Employers can be located anywhere in Canada and operate in any industry sector.
Employers must hire post-secondary students on work-integrated learning (WIL) placements, such as cooperative education and internships.
The placement must be 'net new,' meaning it exceeds the number of students hired in the fiscal year prior to first receiving SWPP funding.
Remote work arrangements are permitted.
Exclusions apply to federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal governments and their extensions, members of the House of Commons and the Senate, organizations that engage in partisan political activities, and major financial sector employers.

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply

Employers hiring post-secondary students on work-integrated learning (WIL) placements, such as cooperative education and internships, in Canada are eligible to apply for the Talent Opportunities Program. Eligible employers can receive a wage subsidy up to 50% of the wages (to a maximum of $5,000) for each 'net new' placement. For placements involving under-represented groups like Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, first-year students, visible minorities, and women in STEM, the subsidy can go up to 70% of wages (to a maximum of $7,000). Employers must be registered Canadian businesses or not-for-profit organizations operating in any industry sector. Excluded entities include government organizations, crown corporations, hospitals, public long-term care facilities, post-secondary institutions, political organizations, and financial sector employers. Placements must be 'net new' relative to a baseline year calculated based on previous SWPP funding allocations. Students must be enrolled at recognized Canadian institutions and be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugees under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

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Certain types of organizations are not eligible for this grant due to their governmental affiliations, political nature, or position in the financial sector. These restrictions ensure that the funding supports employers who contribute to student work-integrated learning opportunities.

Federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal governments.
Organizations that are extensions of government such as crown corporations, hospitals, public long-term care facilities, and post-secondary institutions.
Members of the House of Commons and the Senate.
Organizations engaging in partisan political activities.
Major and other financial sector employers including businesses that underwrite loans.

grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses

This grant supports employers in Canada who are hiring post-secondary students for work-integrated learning placements. The eligible activities involve offering employment opportunities that provide practical learning experiences for students in various fields.

Hiring post-secondary students on cooperative education placements.
Offering internship opportunities to college and university students.
Creating new work-integrated learning placements above the baseline employment levels.

grant_eligibility_criteria|zone

The grant provides a wage subsidy for hiring post-secondary students on work-integrated learning (WIL) placements.

Wage subsidies covering up to 50% of the wages per student, to a maximum of $5,000, for each 'net new' student placement.
Wage subsidies covering up to 70% of the wages, to a maximum of $7,000, for each 'net new' placement for students from under-represented groups, such as Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, first-year students, visible minorities, and women in STEM.

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Evaluation and selection criteria for this grant program include the following: - Placements must be 'net new' to qualify for funding. - Employers must meet the eligibility criteria specified in the program guidelines. - Students hired on work-integrated learning placements must be registered at a recognized Canadian college or university. - Employers must be a registered Canadian business or not-for-profit organization. - Funding is available on a first-come first-serve basis. - Applications must receive conditional approval and a Recipient Agreement must be signed to reserve funding. - There are specific exclusions for certain types of organizations and sectors. These criteria are essential for determining eligibility and funding allocation for the Talent Opportunities Program.

grant_single_labels|register

Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:

Step 1: Verify Eligibility
- Review the Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) eligibility criteria to ensure your organization qualifies.
- Determine if the placements are 'net new' using the provided baseline calculation guidelines.
Step 2: Register and Access Portal
- Click the link provided to access the Talent Opportunities Program application portal.
- Create an account on the portal if you do not already have one.
Step 3: Complete Application Form
- Log into the funding application portal using your account credentials.
- Fill out the online application form with details about your organization and the student placements.
- Ensure all information is accurate and complete.
Step 4: Submit Required Documents
- Upload all necessary supporting documents as specified by the program guidelines.
- Check that all documents are in the required format and size.
Step 5: Review and Submit Application
- Carefully review the completed application and attached documents.
- Submit the application through the portal.
Step 6: Acknowledgment of Submission
- Receive a confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your application.
- Keep this confirmation for your records and tracking purposes.

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Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

The application process operates on a first-come first-serve basis, making early submission advantageous.
If the funding pool for 70% subsidies for under-represented groups is exhausted, applicants will still be considered for a 50% subsidy.
The Ontario Chamber of Commerce reserves the right to amend eligibility criteria at its discretion, so staying informed about potential changes is recommended.
All work placements must be considered 'net new' to qualify, calculated by subtracting the baseline number of students hired in a previous fiscal year.

grant_single_labels|documents

Talent Opportunities Program — Student Work Placement Program

Apply to this program

Talent Opportunities Program for Work-Integrated Learning

The Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) offers wage subsidies to Canadian employers hiring post-secondary students for work-integrated learning (WIL) placements, fostering opportunities for youth employment and skills development. Administered by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, this initiative supports job placements in diverse industries across Canada.

Understanding the Talent Opportunities Program in Detail

The Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) is a significant initiative focused on enhancing the employability of post-secondary students through strategic work-integrated learning opportunities. By providing financial incentives to employers, it aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry, ensuring that students gain crucial real-world experience that complements their academic learning. Employers who participate in this program can receive substantial subsidies, making it economically feasible to hire more students and provide them with formative professional experiences.

The program is structured to offer a basic subsidy of up to 50% of the wages paid to each student for eligible placements, with a cap at $5,000 per placement. Additionally, a higher subsidy rate of 70%, up to $7,000, is available for positions filled by students from under-represented groups such as Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, first-year students, visible minorities, and women in STEM. This initiative underscores a commitment to not only increase student employment but also promote diversity and inclusion in the Canadian workforce.

Placements that qualify for subsidies under the TOP must be deemed ‘net new’, which entails that the number of students hired exceeds the baseline number from previous years before the employer first accessed funding through either TOP or another Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) delivery partner. This strategy ensures growth in student employment year over year, rather than merely subsidizing existing positions. It encourages employers to expand their hiring practices, providing more opportunities for students seeking to gain hands-on industry experience.

It’s crucial for participating employers to understand the exclusions and eligibility requirements thoroughly to maximize their benefits from TOP. Eligible employers must be registered Canadian businesses or not-for-profit organizations operating across various industry sectors nationwide, with opportunities for remote work. However, government bodies, certain political organizations, and specific financial institutions are excluded from participation in this program. These criteria ensure that a wide range of business entities can participate while maintaining focus on sectors that might not typically benefit from government support.

For students, the program provides a pathway to gaining practical experience that can significantly enhance their career prospects upon graduation. When students participate in WIL placements facilitated by this program, they gain valuable insights and skills which complement their academic studies, preparing them for future employment. The impetus to hire in such a manner also motivates educational institutions to foster strong relationships with industry partners, creating a collaborative ecosystem geared toward the success of all parties involved.

The Talent Opportunities Program exemplifies a proactive approach to nurturing future talent and facilitating meaningful employment for Canada’s youth. By addressing the dual aims of reducing business costs while promoting accessible and inclusive education-to-employment pathways, the program lays the groundwork for a more robust and inclusive workforce. Through TOP, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Government of Canada's Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) are working hand-in-hand to ensure that both students and employers can mutually benefit from their synergies.