WILWorks program — Student Work Placement Program
Canada
Practical student internships with wage subsidies in Canada
grant_single_labels|summary
grant_single|eligibleFinancing
- grant_single|maxCount
- grant_single|projectCostPercent
grant_single|deadlines
grant_single|financingType
Wage Subsidies And Interns
grant_single|eligibleIndustries
- Manufacturing
grant_single|grantors
- Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC)
grant_single|status
grant_card_status|openingSoon
grant_single_labels|preview
The Program of Student Work Placement, funded by Canada's PSPÉ initiative, offers employers wage subsidies covering up to 70% of student salaries to a maximum of $7,000, supporting co-op placements, internships, practical training, and applied research projects. This initiative aims to enhance student employability by integrating workplace experience within academic curriculums.
grant_single_labels|terms_and_conditions
The WILWorks program under the Student Work Placement Program provides specific financing modalities to support wage subsidies for student placements. These modalities outline the financial parameters and conditions under which participating employers can benefit from the subsidies.
- Subsidies cover up to 50% or 70% of the student's wages, capped at a maximum reimbursement of $5,000 or $7,000 respectively, for the period from May 1, 2024, to March 31, 2025.
- The final subsidy amount is determined at the end of the placement, contingent upon the submission of specific documents, including the student's payroll records and employer attestations.
- Funding is restricted to wages sourced from non-governmental funding; positions partially funded by provincial grants are eligible only for the remainder of the employer's non-governmental funding.
- An employer can receive a grant for only one placement per student per quarter and must not derive profit from these financial supports.
- Disbursement of the subsidy occurs within 60 days following the submission of relevant documentation, including payroll records and survey responses.
- Subsidy payment depends on compliance with reporting requirements and the maintenance of accurate financial records for six years post-placement completion.
- Grants are exclusive to non-federal sources; dual governmental funding is prohibited under the same internship.
grant_single_labels|projects
Eligible projects and activities for this grant program focus on integrating work placements into the educational experience of students. These initiatives are designed to enhance practical skills and apply academic knowledge in a real-world setting.
- Cooperative education programs that incorporate work placements in the student's field of study.
- Internships providing hands-on experience relevant to academic courses.
- Practical placements allowing application of theoretical learning in a professional environment.
- Applied research projects that involve student participation and workplace integration.
grant_single|admissibleProjectsExample
$ 7,000
Practical placement for nursing students focusing on community health
$ 7,000
Applied research project for renewable energy systems
$ 7,000
Student-led agricultural research project
$ 7,000
Internship program for software development students
grant_single_labels|admissibility
The eligibility criteria for companies applying for this grant are outlined as follows:
- The company must be a registered business in Canada.
- The company must not be a federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal government entity.
- The company must be committed to paying the student for the internship offered.
- The company must comply with all federal and provincial human rights and labor laws, including the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Employment Standards Act.
- The company must have the financial capacity to compensate the student throughout their internship.
- Where required by law, the company must provide workplace insurance through the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) or equivalent coverage.
- The company must not have received or expect to receive funding for more than one subsidy per student internship through the EMC or any partner involved in implementing this program.
- The company must not claim the grants received under this program as tax credits.
- The company must apply only for internships that are not concurrently funded by another federal government grant program.
- The company must apply only for Canadian students enrolled in recognized post-secondary institutions.
- The company must agree that students hired through a work-integrated learning internship must be enrolled in a program that includes such internships as part of the curriculum.
- The company must apply only for students who are Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee status under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.
- The company must ensure students are legally allowed to work in Canada.
- The company must adhere to the "net new incrementality" of internships.
- The company must not hire students who are immediate family members of current employees (with "immediate family" including parents, stepparents, siblings, spouses, children, and any family members permanently residing with the employer).
- The company must be a Canadian manufacturer.
- The company must hire the student as an employee, granting them the same rights and obligations as other employees; independent contractors are not eligible for this program.
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_can_apply
The program targets Canadian manufacturers who are interested in hiring post-secondary students to offer more student positions than before with the help of funding from the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply
The eligibility for this grant excludes certain types of organizations mainly based on their status and funding sources. The restrictions ensure alignment with the program's objectives and prevent duplicate funding.
- Federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal government entities.
- Companies that have already received federal funding for the same internship under a different program.
- Employers intending to use the grant funding to offset government-funded positions.
- Employers who wish to hire immediate family members as interns.
- Non-Canadian manufacturing sectors.
- Organizations that employ interns as independent contractors rather than as employees.
grant_eligibility_criteria|eligible_expenses
The eligible expenses for this grant are specifically related to student wages within the grant period.
- Up to 50% or 70% of the student's wages, capped at $5,000 or $7,000, depending on the coverage level.
grant_eligibility_criteria|zone
This grant is specifically applicable to companies registered in Canada. No other specific geographic limitations or regional specifications outside of Canada are mentioned for eligibility.
- Businesses registered in Canada.
grant_single_labels|criteria
There are evaluation and selection criteria for this grant.
- Applications will be reviewed and assessed based on program eligibility criteria and regional funding availability.
grant_single_labels|register
Here are the steps to submit an application for this grant:
- Step 1: Check Eligibility
- Ensure that your organization is a registered Canadian business and not a government entity.
- Confirm your ability to pay the student during the internship and comply with all relevant laws and safety regulations.
- Verify the eligibility of the student as a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or refugee and confirm their enrollment in a qualifying educational program.
- Ensure that the internship is not funded by other federal government programs.
- Confirm that the internship is a "new net placement" and not for an immediate family member of current employees.
- Step 2: Application Preparation
- Gather necessary documentation such as payroll records for the student, invoices, and attestations from the employer.
- Prepare responses for end-of-employment surveys required from both the employer and the student.
- Draft a detailed explanation of the internship's role in the student's course of study.
- Step 3: Submit Application
- Submit the initial application to the Consortium for Manufacturing Excellence (EMC) through their designated online portal or as directed on their official website.
- Include all supporting documents and ensure compliance with submission guidelines and deadlines.
- Step 4: Post-Application Follow-Up
- Upon completion of the internship, submit the final required documents.
- Participate in any requested meetings with EMC to track internship progress.
- Provide certificates of insurance as required and any updates on changes in organizational status to EMC.
- Step 5: Receive Funding
- Await confirmation and final decision from EMC regarding the amount of the subsidy.
- Receive the subsidy payment within 60 days after EMC receives all necessary documents.
grant_single_labels|otherInfo
Additional important information about the grant includes obligations and procedures that applicants should be aware of beyond the general criteria and process.
- Employers must maintain exact and precise accounts and records concerning the internship, for at least six years after the end of the internship.
- EMC and the Government of Canada reserve the right to access the employer's premises or the practical placement site for monitoring the internship's progress.
- Employers are encouraged, though not required, to provide testimonials, success stories, or lessons learned from the internship experience.
- The grant is provided under the condition that the employer does not use the subsidy to obtain a financial profit or net benefit.
- Funding from the grant must be used exclusively for the wage support of the designated student, with specific reimbursement caps.
- Employers are responsible for ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations applicable to their operations, including workplace safety and insurance requirements.
- All necessary documents and conditions must be fulfilled for the final payment, which will be processed within 60 days after submission.
- Changes in the employer's status, such as ownership or structure, must be reported to EMC promptly.
- EMC or EDSC may contact participants for promotional activities related to the internship and its funding source.
- Intellectual property developed during the internship is solely between the employer and the student, with EMC having no claims over it.
- There are conditions under which EMC can terminate financial support, including non-compliance or misuse of funds.
grant_single_labels|contact
cchoquette@emccanada.org