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WILWorks program — Student Work Placement Program
Wage subsidies for Canadian manufacturers
Funding available
$ 5,000
Location
Ontario, Canada
Overview
WILWorks Post Secondary – Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) Funding offers Canadian manufacturers up to 50% of student wages, to a maximum of $5,000 per placement, to support post-secondary work-integrated learning opportunities. Eligible placements include co-op terms, internships, practical placements, and applied research projects that form part of the student’s program of study.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase performance through digital transformation
- Attract or retain talent
- Develop a new product or service
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 5,000 $
- Up to 50% of project cost
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Ontario
Legal structures
- For-profit business
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
Availability timeline
2026
Periods: 1
Activities funded
- Co-op placements for post-secondary students
- Internships and practical placements
- Applied research projects
Documents Needed
- Employer consent form
- Employer attestation form
- Student information and consent form
- Proof of student enrollment
- First and last student pay stubs and employer invoice
Sources and recorded changes
- Source change captured
- Change recorded
- Record updated
A captured source change or record update does not confirm eligibility. Check the funder’s current rules before applying.
WILWorks application opening date updated
The WILWorks page now lists November 10, 2026, as the opening date for the Winter 2027 placement term and says funding remains open for the 2026 Summer and Fall terms.
The WILWorks page changed the announced opening from August 5, 2026, for the Fall 2026 placement term to November 10, 2026, for the Winter 2027 placement term. It now says funding remains open for both the 2026 Summer and Fall placement terms.
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Canadian manufacturers
- Employers hiring post-secondary students
Who is not eligible
- Federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal governments
- Employers using independent contractors instead of employees
- Employers seeking double funding for the same wages from another federal program
Eligible expenses
- Student wages for the placement period
- Wage subsidy reimbursement tied to payroll costs
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Independent contractor placements
- Double-funded wages supported by another federal wage subsidy
- Subsidies used for profit or net benefit
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection 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.
How to apply
- Visit EMC's third-party application platform to apply for funding.
- For future placement terms, check back for updates or complete the notification form to be notified about the next application round.
Processing and Agreement
- The final subsidy amount is determined at the end of the placement after EMC receives the student's first and last pay stubs, the employer invoice and attestation, and end-of-employment survey responses from both the employer and the student.
- The subsidy is sent to the employer within 60 business days after EMC receives the employer invoice at the end of the placement.
- All payments are conditional on EMC receiving the required final documents and on continued Student Work Placement Program funding from EDSC.
- The employer may be asked to participate in meetings with EMC, and EMC or the Government of Canada may access the employer's premises or placement site to monitor the placement.
Additional information
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.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the WILWorks program — Student Work Placement Program Program
What is the WILWorks program — Student Work Placement Program?
WILWorks Post Secondary – Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) Funding offers Canadian manufacturers up to 50% of student wages, to a maximum of $5,000 per placement, to support post-secondary work-integrated learning opportunities. Eligible placements include co-op terms, internships, practical placements, and applied research projects that form part of the student’s program of study.
How much funding can be received?
WILWorks program — Student Work Placement Program Funds up to 50% of admissible expenses, capped at $5,000 per project.
What is the deadline to apply?
The program is accepting continuous intake
Who is eligible for the WILWorks program — Student Work Placement Program program?
To be eligible for the WILWorks program — Student Work Placement Program program, you must:
The employer must be a registered business in Canada and cannot be a federal, provincial, territorial, or municipal government.
The employer must have the financial capacity to pay the student for the duration of the internship.
The employer must not hire students who are immediate family members of a current employee.
What expenses are eligible under WILWorks program — Student Work Placement Program?
Student wages for the placement period
Wage subsidy reimbursement tied to payroll costs
Who can I contact for more information about the WILWorks program — Student Work Placement Program?
You can contact Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium (EMC) by email at cchoquette@emccanada.org or by phone at 1-514-709-5389.
Where is the WILWorks program — Student Work Placement Program available?
The WILWorks program — Student Work Placement Program program is available the province of Ontario.