Talent Opportunities Program — Student Work Placement Program
Canada
Money for businesses to hire students
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- grant_single|timelineUnspecified
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Wage Subsidies And Interns
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- Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC)
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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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grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$7,000
Toronto
Developing a mobile app for local farmers to sell produce directly to consumers.
$7,000
Calgary
Implementing an educational recycling campaign in local schools.
$7,000
Vancouver
Establishing a mentorship program for new immigrants in the tech industry.
$6,300
Ottawa
Creating a digital archive for local historical documents and photographs.
$7,000
Montreal
Launch a community garden initiative to promote urban agriculture.
$7,000
Edmonton
Setting up a tutoring program for high school students in mathematics and science.
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The eligibility criteria for the Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) grant are as follows:
1. Employers must be a registered Canadian business or not-for-profit organization located anywhere in Canada, operating in any industry sector. Exclusions include federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal governments, organizations linked to government entities, members of the House of Commons and the Senate, organizations involved in partisan political activities, and major financial sector employers.
2. Employers must be looking to hire college and university students on work-integrated learning (WIL) placements, such as cooperative education and internships.
3. Placements must be 'net new', meaning incremental placements above the baseline number of students hired in the previous fiscal year. The fiscal year for calculating the baseline number varies based on when the employer first accessed funding from the Student Work Placement Program.
4. Students hired on WIL placements must be registered at a recognized Canadian college or university, enrolled in a program or course with a work placement component, and be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
5. Employers hiring eligible students may receive a wage subsidy up to 50% of the wages (up to $5,000) per student or up to 70% of the wages (up to $7,000) per student for under-represented groups like Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, first-year students, visible minorities, and women in STEM.
6. Funding is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and applications will be considered based on the availability of funds.
For more detailed information, refer to the TOP Program Guidelines & FAQs.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
- Registered Canadian businesses
- Not-for-profit organizations
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Federal, provincial, territorial or municipal governments
Members of the House of Commons and the Senate
Organizations that engage in partisan political activities
Major and other financial sector employers, including businesses that underwrite loans
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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
To apply for the Talent Opportunities Program grant, follow these steps:
1. Review the eligibility criteria outlined in the TOP Program Guidelines & FAQs.
2. Click on the application link provided in the program description.
3. Complete the application form with accurate information.
4. Submit your application for review.
5. Await conditional approval and sign the Recipient Agreement if your application is successful.
These steps will guide you through the application process for the grant.
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- Applicants should ensure they meet the eligibility criteria before submitting an application.
- Funding is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
- Placements must be 'net new' to qualify for funding.
- The application portal is open for the Summer 2024 term, but not for the Winter 2024 or any retroactive terms.
- There is a limited pool of funding to support subsidies at the 70% level for under-represented groups.
- Employers must be registered Canadian businesses or not-for-profit organizations located anywhere in Canada.
- Students hired on work-integrated learning placements must be registered at a recognized Canadian college or university.
- Employers that accessed SWPP funding for the first time in specific years have specific baseline year calculations.
Apply to this program
Talent Opportunities Program Summary
The Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) offers Canadian employers wage subsidies of up to $7,000 for hiring post-secondary students in work-integrated learning placements. Administered by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the program aims to enhance students' career readiness while supporting businesses across Canada.
Understanding the Talent Opportunities Program (TOP)
The Talent Opportunities Program (TOP) is an initiative administered by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC) and funded by the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP). This program is designed to provide wage subsidies to employers across Canada who hire college and university students in work-integrated learning (WIL) placements, such as co-operative education and internships. The primary goal of the program is to create employment opportunities for post-secondary students, enhance their learning experiences in their respective fields, and to help Canadian businesses by subsidizing the cost of hiring these students.
Eligibility Criteria
To benefit from the TOP program, specific eligibility criteria must be met by both employers and students:
- Employers: Employers must be registered Canadian businesses or not-for-profit organizations based anywhere in Canada, operating in any industry sector. Exclusions apply to federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal governments, members of the House of Commons and Senate, organizations engaging in partisan political activities, and major financial sector employers, including those underwriting loans. Businesses must hire students for 'net new' placements to qualify for funding. This means that the number of students hired in the current fiscal year must exceed the baseline number of students hired in a previous fiscal year, as outlined in the program guidelines.
- Students: Students must be registered at a recognized Canadian college or university in a program or course where a work placement is part of their study plan. Additionally, students must be Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or persons granted refugee protection under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
Funding and Subsidy Details
Under the Talent Opportunities Program, employers can receive a wage subsidy of up to 50% (to a maximum of $5,000) for each 'net new' student placement. Certain under-represented groups, including Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, first-year students, visible minorities, and women in STEM fields, are eligible for a higher subsidy rate of up to 70% (to a maximum of $7,000) for each 'net new' placement. However, funding for the 70% subsidy is limited and may revert to the 50% level if resources are exhausted.
Application Process
The application portal for the Talent Opportunities Program is currently open for the Summer 2024 term (May – August 2024). Due to the high demand, applications for the Winter 2024 term or any retroactive terms are not being accepted. Funding is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and will only be reserved after an application receives conditional approval and a Recipient Agreement is signed.
Employers who meet the criteria can apply by accessing the program’s online application portal. It is essential to ensure all eligibility criteria are met before submitting an application to avoid any delays or rejection. Detailed guidelines and FAQs are available to assist applicants in understanding the application process and requirements.
Advantages for Employers
The TOP program provides several benefits to employers, including:
- Cost Savings: By receiving up to $7,000 in wage subsidies per student placement, employers can lower the financial burden of hiring and training new employees.
- Access to Talent: Employers gain access to a pool of talented and motivated students who bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and up-to-date knowledge in their fields.
- Building Future Workforce: Engaging students in work placements helps businesses groom potential future employees and reduce hiring costs in the long run.
- Diversity and Inclusion: The program encourages the hiring of under-represented groups, fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace environment.
Benefits for Students
The TOP program also offers substantial advantages for students, including:
- Practical Experience: Students gain hands-on experience in their field of study, applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios.
- Career Readiness: Work-integrated learning placements enhance students' employability by developing essential skills and competencies demanded by employers.
- Networking Opportunities: Students have the chance to connect with industry professionals, expanding their professional network and improving future job prospects.
- Financial Support: Paid placements provide financial support, helping students cover tuition fees and other expenses while focusing on their studies.
How to Partner with Post-Secondary Institutions
Employers interested in hiring students through the TOP program are encouraged to connect with local post-secondary institutions. These institutions can assist in identifying eligible students and promoting available placements. Building solid partnerships with educational institutions can also help employers stay informed about upcoming talent pools and emerging trends in education and industry practices.
Post-secondary institutions can also contact the Ontario Chamber of Commerce to explore collaboration opportunities and ensure their students benefit from the wage subsidies offered by TOP.
Conclusion
In summary, the Talent Opportunities Program is a mutually beneficial initiative for Canadian employers and post-secondary students. By providing wage subsidies, the program encourages the creation of meaningful work-integrated learning placements that enrich students' academic experiences and bolster businesses across various sectors. Employers willing to take advantage of this program should ensure they meet all eligibility criteria and submit timely applications to secure funding and support the future workforce of Canada.
