With a combination of grants and subsidies, hiring a co-op student is a cost-effective element of your recruitment strategy. There are many programs and funding options available to help you hire UWindsor students, including the Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit and the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).
Here is an overview of the current programs available to organizations hiring co-op students:
Ontario Co-operative Education Tax Credit
The Co-operative Education Tax Credit is available to employers who hire students enrolled in a post-secondary co-operative education program. Each student hired is eligible for the tax credit with no limit/cap.
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The tax credit is based on salaries and wages paid to a student in a co-operative education work placement
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Large corporations can claim 25% of eligible expenditures, and small businesses can claim 30%
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The maximum credit for each work placement is $3,000
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Guidelines follow a minimum of 10 weeks and a maximum of 4 months. However, you can claim each student over each work term, so if you have a student on an eight-month placement, you can claim up to $6,000 for each student you hire. Find more details on the Co-operative Education Tax Credit.
How do I get the funding?
Employers are provided with proof of the hire, and it is used each tax season and can be claimed on Schedule 550 of the T2 corporation income tax return. Unincorporated businesses can claim the tax credit on their personal tax return using Form ON479.
Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)
The Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) provides wage subsidies to help employers hire post-secondar students. The program supports partnerships between employers and post-secondary institutions to create quality work-integrated learning opportunities for students, helping them develop the skills necessary to secure meaningful employment upon graduation.
How much funding is available?
Up to 75% (up to $7,500) for all students including students from underrepresented groups. For example, Women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics), Indigenous students, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and first year students. Funding is available for eight to 16 weeks (although the minimum required duration for co-op eligibility is a 12-week term).
Please note:
Funding can be “stacked” (ie combined) with the Ontario Co-op Tax Credit, however wages for this position must not be funded by another federally funded program and cannot exceed 100% of the student wages. Employers can receive funding for more than one student per term – one application per student must be submitted.
ESDC works with Employer Delivery Partners which are a group of recognized associations and organizations that represent the interests of employers in industries. They work with business and post-secondary institutions to:
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Provide wage subsidies to employers that offer quality student work placements
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Create partnerships with colleges, universities, polytechnics and CEGEP’s to recruit students for these placements
The program is delivered through various industry partners and is facilitated differently for each partner. For additional information, review the pages below:
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Information and Communication Technology Council (ICTC) ICTC'S WIL Digital Subsidy
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Ontario Chamber of Commerce - Talent Opportunities Program (TOP)
University of Windsor Student Wage Reiumbursement Program
The University of Windsor’s Student Wage Reimbursement Program provides Canadian Not-for-Profit and Municipal Government employers with wage subsidies to hire post-secondary students for paid work experiences. The program is an opportunity for not-for-profit organizations to provide meaningful work integrated learning opportunities to students while offsetting the costs.
The program’s wage subsidies cover the cost of 75% of a student’s gross wages earned during their placement period, up to a maximum of $8,500 per eligible student.
Students must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences co-op student.
For more information about the Student Wage Reimbursement Program, contact bill.marino@uwindsor.ca.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Career Focus
Career Focus provides funding to organizations for the creation of agricultural internships that provide career-related work experiences for recent graduates.
Visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to learn more about the Career Focus program.
Apprenticeship Tax Credit
The apprenticeship training tax credit is a refundable tax credit. It is available to employers who hire and train apprentices in certain skilled trades in apprenticeship programs that commenced on or before November 14, 2017.
For apprenticeship programs that commenced on or after April 24, 2015 and before November 15, 2017, eligible expenditures incurred during the first 36 months of the apprenticeship program qualify for the purposes of the credit.
For apprenticeship programs that commenced before April 24, 2015, eligible expenditures incurred after March 26, 2009, and during the first 48 months of the apprenticeship program, qualify for purposes of the tax credit.
Visit the Ontario Ministry of Finance to learn more about the Apprenticeship Tax Credit.
Canada Ontario Job Grant
The Job Grant will provide direct financial support to individual employers who wish to purchase training for their employees. It will be available to small, medium and large businesses with a plan to deliver short-term training to existing and new employees, and will:
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Provide up to $10,000 in government support per person for training costs.
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Require employers to contribute one-third of the total costs. There will be additional flexibility for small businesses to provide an in-kind contribution towards their share of the costs.
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Require training to be delivered by an eligible, third-party trainer.
If you're an employer with a particular skills demand, the Canada-Ontario Job Grant might be right for you. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ)
CSJ is an initiative of the Summer Work Experience program. It provides wage subsidies to employers to create employment for secondary and post-secondary students. Again this year, Canada Summer Jobs welcomes applications from small businesses, not-for-profit employers, public sector and faith-based organizations that provide quality summer jobs for students. CSJ provides funding to not-for-profit organizations, public-sector employers and small businesses with 50 or fewer full-time employees to create summer job opportunities for young people aged 15 to 30 years who are full-time students intending to return to their studies in the next school year.
Visit the Government of Canada to learn more about the Summer Work Experience program.
Digital Skills Youth Internship Program
Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y) connects underemployed recent post-secondary graduates with small businesses and not-for-profit organizations where they can gain meaningful work experience to help them transition to career-oriented employment. Program participants will be able to use the skills acquired during their studies and apply them in a professional setting. Moreover, they will be able to upskill if required to better meet the demands of the labour market. The program will be administered by delivery organizations. A delivery organization is an independent third party responsible for the delivery of DS4Y who will partner with employers where interns will carry out their internships. Delivery Organizations will ensure that interns gain valuable work experience and have access to training.
Visit the Government of Canada to learn more about the Digital Skills Youth Internship program.
Employment and Social Development Canada Career Focus
Career Focus provides funding for employers and organizations to design and deliver a range of activities that enable youth make more informed career decisions and develop their skills.
Environmental Youth Corps
Our program gives eligible employers who work in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) or natural resources up to 50% of a candidate’s salary (up to $15,000) for new full-time environmental jobs. Employers may use this program to fund multiple new positions.
Visit Eco Canada to learn more about the program.
Export Market Access
Export Market Access (EMA) is a $5 million initiative, jointly sponsored by the Government of Ontario and the Ontario Chamber of Commerce (OCC). It is designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises SMEs) increase their access to global markets. Expenses incurred by companies undertaking activities in the following four areas may be eligible for funding:
- Direct Contacts: participation in international trade shows, fairs, exhibitions, and incoming and outgoing trade missions, supported by a recognized third party such as governments or trade related organizations.
- Marketing Tools: development of electronic media, promotional materials, and generic branding material.
- Market Research: to enable more precise international market targeting.
- Foreign Bidding Projects: intended for providers of professional services (engineering, consulting, constructions, etc.) bidding on foreign projects against foreign competition.
Visit the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs to learn more about the program.
First Nations and Inuit Summer Work Experience Program
Projects under the First Nations and Inuit Summer Work Experience Program allow youth to learn about career options and earn an income that may contribute to university or college education.
Successful proposals:
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include plans to offer wage subsidies to private sector and non-profit employers so they may hire eligible First Nations and Inuit youth
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help First Nations and Inuit secondary and post-secondary students obtain summer employment and prepare for entry into the labour market
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enable First Nations and Inuit youth to earn wages
The proposals will support work experience opportunities for First Nations and Inuit secondary and post-secondary students, between May 1st and the beginning of the student’s fall academic term. Proposals are accepted for each fiscal year.
Visit the Government of Canada to learn more about the program.
Jobs and Prosperity Fund
Businesses, business associations and entrepreneurs can get funding for projects to enhance productivity and help them compete in the global marketplace.
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New Economy Fund - Funding that can help you build research and development capacity, improve productivity, boost competitiveness and gain access to global markets.
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Food and Beverage Growth Fund - Funding for strategic investments in the food and beverage processing, and bioproduct sectors.
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Forestry Growth Fund - Funding for manufacturers and processors of wood products across Ontario.
Visit the Ontario website to learn more about funding for projects.
Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit
The Ontario Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit (OIDMTC) is a refundable tax credit based on eligible Ontario labour expenditures and eligible marketing and distribution expenses claimed by a qualifying corporation with respect to interactive digital media products.
Visit the Ontario Media Development Corporation to learn more about the refundable tax credit.
Science and Technology Internship Program
Green jobs are the future in a world that is increasingly valuing sustainable practices as part of the transition to a low-carbon economy. To help young Canadians get started in a green career, Natural Resources Canada is investing more that $16 million to create 1,200 jobs through our Green Jobs - Science and Technology Internship Program (STIP).
Visit Natural Resources Canada to learn more about the program.
Science Horizons Youth Internships Program
Science Horizons supports green jobs for youth by providing wage subsidies to eligible employers to hire interns in environmental and clean technology sectors. Interns must be recent college or university graduates eligible to work in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM).
Visit the Government of Canada to learn more about the internships program.
SMART Program for Advance Technologies for Global Growth
Through FedDev Ontario’s Investing in Business Growth and Productivity (IBGP) initiative, the SMART Advanced Technologies for Global Growth (ATGG) program is designed to assist Southern Ontario manufacturers in adopting new technologies that have the potential to improve productivity and increase competitiveness in the global economy. Advanced Technology Adaptation/ Adoption Projects that will focus on improving productivity through the adaptation or adoption of new or upgraded advanced technologies, materials or processes, create jobs and increase global competitiveness. Advanced technology projects will be eligible for funding of 35% of eligible costs to a maximum non-repayable contribution of $100,000.
Visit the SMART Program to learn more about the program.
Southwestern Ontario Development Fund
The Southwestern Ontario Development Fund gives money to businesses, municipalities and not-for-profit organizations for economic development in southwestern Ontario. The fund supports projects that:
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create jobs
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encourage innovation, collaboration and cluster development
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attract private sector investment
Visit the Ontario website to learn more about the funding program.
The Skills Link
The Skills Link program helps youth overcome barriers to employment, develop a broad range of skills and knowledge in order to participate in the current and future labour market and to promote education and skills as being key to labour market participation. These barriers include, but are not limited to, challenges faced by recent immigrant youth, youth with disabilities, single parent youth, youth who have not completed high school, Indigenous youth, and youth living in rural or remote areas.
Visit the Government of Canada to learn more about the program.
If your company or community organization engages in research, product development or entrepreneurship, there are many ways that you can hire a UWindsor student via internships, co-ops, and part time positions. The University’s Office of Research and Innovation Services can support your company in finding the right funding for you to hire UWindsor.
We encourage companies to get started by learning about what UWindsor has to offer through Research Partnerships at the Office of Research and Innovation Services. Our expert staff can help connect you to the right funding for your organization. The programs below are just a few of the opportunities available to help you attract the next generation of talent to your organization.
Mitacs
Mitacs powers research & development by connecting industry with the best post-secondary institutions to solve business challenges — in Canada and internationally. For 20 years, Mitacs has funded cutting-edge research, created job opportunities for graduate students and helped companies reach their business goals, achieving results that have bolstered the Canadian economy.
Programs
Accelerate
Solve your research challenges with academic expertise, leveraged funding, and one-to-one support from Mitacs. Internships start at four months and can scale up as much as you need. Discover more information on Mitacs Accelerate.
Entrepreneur International
Is global growth in your future? Mitacs Entrepreneur International can help. We assist with travel costs — up to $5,000 — to help you explore new business opportunities abroad. Mitacs Entrepreneur International offers travel grants to Canadian start-ups housed in university-linked incubators. The grant enables start-ups to connect with international incubators allowing you to explore new business development opportunities in global markets.
Business Strategy Internship
Canadian organizations are being challenged as never before. Get help from outstanding students with your innovation activities starting at a four-month $10,000 or $15,000 internship. Your contribution is 50%. Discover more information on the Business Strategy Internship.
To learn more about how Mitacs programs can work for you, contact:
Katie Facecchia, Mitacs Director Business Development
kfacecchia@mitacs.ca
519-560-1582
Iman Sarraf, Business Development Specialist, Windsor
isarraf@mitacs.ca
226-724-2408
Ontario Centres for Innovation
OCI’s mission is to accelerate innovation through game-changing research leading to successful commercialization and vibrant collaboration between industry and academia, launching the next generation of products and jobs.
Programs
Voucher for Innovation and Productivity (VIP)
This program supports the collaboration between Academia and Industry to solve an industry-based problem and drive the commercialization of Intellectual Property [IP]. The institution will leverage the unique skills and specialized infrastructure that is instrumental to streamline internal innovations and commercialization needs. Resulting in targeted training of individuals and direct engagement with Industry to work on commercially viable solutions.
For more information about OCI programs, visit the OCI website, or contact:
Andreas Waller, Business Development and Commercialization Manger for the Windsor-Essex Region
awaller@oc-innovation.ca
519.996.5100
Other Research Partnership funding opportunities
The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) offer a range of programs that can support partnerships between the University of Windsor and your company or organization. Find out about UWindsor Research Partnerships and learn how leveraged funding can bring talent into your organization and help you grow.
Workforce WindsorEssex WEsearch Tool for Employers and Job-Seekers
Help navigating the various supports available to employers in Windsor-Essex, including grants, loans and wage subsidies.
Visit Workforce Windsor Essex to learn more about the tool.
Employment Ontario
Employment Ontario can help you get training, build skills or find a job. We connect people looking for work with employers looking for workers. Employment Ontario offers many provincial programs that may be of assistance to you.
Visit the Ontario website to learn more about employment support.
Ontario Business Program Guide
This online directory of provincial tax incentives, tax credits and government support programs for business has many additional programs that may be of assistance to you.
Visit the Ontario Business Programs Guide to use the interactive search tool.
