TECHNATION — Career Ready Program
Canada
Wage subsidy for developing tech talent
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
- grant_single|openingDateJuly 17, 2023
- grant_single|closingDateDecember 31, 2023
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting
- Manufacturing
- Information and cultural industries
- Professional, scientific and technical services
- Health care and social assistance
grant_single|grantors
- TECHNATION
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|open
grant_single_labels|preview
Get a wage subsidy to cover up to 50% of the costs of a work term placement, to a maximum of $5,000 per placement, when you hire a post-secondary student. Maximum coverage for under-represented groups is 70% of the costs to a maximum of $7,000.
grant_single_labels|projects
The Career Ready Program is accessible Canada-wide, focusing on equitable distribution of funds across all provinces and territories. Opportunities are distributed based on regional population percentages.
- New Brunswick
- Northwest Territories
- Nunavut
- Prince Edward Island
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$6,000
Victoria
Hire a software engineering intern to develop a mobile application for health tech services
$5,000
Toronto
Engage an AI intern to develop machine learning models for agricultural data analysis
$5,500
Calgary
Hire a student to assist in the development of clean tech waste management systems
$4,500
Vancouver
Hire a digital marketing intern to create a comprehensive online marketing strategy
$7,000
Montreal
Employ a cybersecurity student for enhancing company's network security systems
grant_single_labels|admissibility
Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific criteria related to the applicant's business status and their ability to provide tech-focused work placements.
- The applicant must be a registered Canadian business or non-profit organization.
- Employers in the large financial sector, post-secondary institutions, and municipalities are not eligible.
- The applicant must provide a meaningful, tech-focused work placement opportunity to a student.
- The student must be registered in an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution.
- The role offered must be tech immersive.
- Applications must be submitted before or during the placement period.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
Registered Canadian businesses and non-profits that can provide meaningful, tech-focused work placements for students are eligible to apply. However, large financial sector employers, post-secondary institutions, and municipalities are ineligible for this subsidy.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
This grant excludes certain companies mainly due to their sector and organizational type. These restrictions are in line with the grant's focus on tech and educational sectors.
- Large financial sector employers.
- Post-secondary institutions.
- Municipalities.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The Career Ready Program aims to integrate students into tech-focused roles within companies, bolstering their skills while meeting industry needs. Eligible roles are varied and include aspects of marketing, strategy, and data technology.
- Tech roles in digital marketing, including market research, industry analysis, and branding.
- Strategy roles such as consulting, analysts, and business development.
- Data and technology roles, including data analysis, AI/machine learning, software development, and IT support.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
The grant covers wage subsidies for student pay during work-term placements.
- 50% of a student's pay, to a maximum of $5,000 per placement.
- 70% of a student's pay, to a maximum of $7,000 per placement, for students from underrepresented groups.
grant_single_labels|criteria
The evaluation and selection of projects under the Career Ready Program are driven by criteria that ensure alignment with the program’s objectives and contribution to tech talent development.
- Preference for employers hiring students from underrepresented communities (Women in STEM, Indigenous students, visible minorities, new Canadians, persons with disabilities, and first-year undergraduate students).
- Focus on tech-immersive roles that fall within high-growth sectors such as digital technology, AI, IoT, machine learning, advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, agri-tech, clean tech, and health tech.
- Geographic distribution to ensure accessibility and fair allocation of placements across different provinces and territories based on population percentages.
- Consideration for employers who are applying for more than one placement but are capped at five applications per employer.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Access Application Portal
- Go to TECHNATION’s Career Ready Program website.
- Click on the link to start your application in the application portal.
- Step 2: Complete Initial Application Stage
- Fill out the application form with necessary details about your organization and the intended student hires.
- Indicate whether you are hiring students from underrepresented groups.
- Specify the tech-immersive role and its relevance to the high-growth sectors.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Review the completed application form for accuracy and completeness.
- Submit the application via the online portal.
- Step 4: Confirmation of Application
- Await a confirmation email that your application has been received and is being processed.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Here is additional relevant detail for the grant:
- Employers are encouraged to use the online "Net New" calculator within the application portal to calculate the number of eligible student placements for wage subsidies.
Apply to this program
Empower Students with the Career Ready Program
The Career Ready Program by TECHNATION is a part of the Government of Canada's Student Work Placement Program, offering wage subsidies to employers who hire students for tech-focused roles. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry experience, nurturing the future generation of tech talent across Canada.
Unpacking the Career Ready Program: Opportunities for Employers and Students
The Career Ready Program is tailored to enhance Canada's tech talent pipeline by supporting businesses in hiring students for work-term placements. Administered by TECHNATION, this program is a key component of the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program. It offers employers a substantial wage subsidy—covering up to 50% of a student’s salary, to a maximum of $5,000, or up to 70% for eligible students from underrepresented groups, to a maximum of $7,000. This financial support enables employers to expand their workforce with new talent while providing students with invaluable real-world experience.
The program is particularly beneficial for employers in high-growth sectors such as digital technology, AI, cybersecurity, clean tech, and health tech, which are pivotal in Canada’s evolving economic landscape. By facilitating student involvement in these sectors, the program not only aids in workforce development but also contributes to the advancement of these critical sectors.
One of the standout features of the Career Ready Program is its focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. It prioritizes placements for students from traditionally underrepresented groups in the tech industry, such as women in STEM, Indigenous students, new Canadians, and those with disabilities. This approach not only fosters a more inclusive tech ecosystem but also harnesses a diverse range of perspectives and skills within companies.
Employers are encouraged to apply for up to five placements per cycle, which allows them to build a robust team of student employees. Additionally, the program values tech-immersive roles that enhance students' industry skills and knowledge, preparing them for future careers in technology sectors. From digital marketing and software development to data analysis and IT support, there is a broad spectrum of roles that qualify for the program.
For students, participating in the Career Ready Program means more than just a job; it is an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their field of interest, develop professional networks, and increase their employability post-graduation. Students can also leverage this experience to better understand workplace dynamics and industry expectations, setting a solid foundation for their future careers.
The application process is straightforward and is completed via TECHNATION’s online portal. While the initial application takes about 10-12 minutes, the overall process includes eligibility screening and subsequent steps, designed to streamline and expedite placement allocations. Although processing times may vary due to fund distribution needs across Canada, the focus remains on equitably supporting employers and students nationwide.
As a conduit between post-secondary institutions and industry, the Career Ready Program addresses the skills gap by ensuring students are employment-ready and possess the competencies required by the tech sector. It draws a direct line from educational experiences to practical application, making students’ academic knowledge tangible and relevant in an industry setting.
Ultimately, the Career Ready Program is a strategic initiative designed to foster a sustainable and inclusive Canadian workforce. By investing in the next generation of tech professionals, the program ensures that companies not only meet their immediate needs but are also prepared for future industry demands. With a focus on diversity and inclusion, it empowers students and businesses alike to contribute to a thriving, innovative tech ecosystem in Canada.
