Career Ready Program

Developing the next generation of tech talent

Fall 2022 Update:

Due to reduced federal funding over the next two years, we are implementing new processes that will help make the funding more accessible to all regions with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The following changes will be in effect for the Fall ’22 application window and continue through the length of the program:

The number of placements awarded for each province/territory will be determined based on population percentages (see table below)
We will accept up to 5 applications per employer – a decrease from 10
Priority will be given to those hiring students from underrepresented communities (see list below).
Preference will be given to tech immersive roles that are within high-growth sectors:
- Digital technology (IT, digital marketing, software engineering, etc.)
- AI / IoT / Machine Learning / Advanced Manufacturing
- Cybersecurity
- Agri-Tech
- Clean Tech
- Health Tech
In order to distribute the funds fairly, there may be a longer processing time

Welcome to TECHNATION’s Career Ready Program!

As part of the Government of Canada’s Student Work Placement Program (SWPP), TECHNATION’s wage subsidy program, Career Ready supports businesses by financing their decision to hire a student for a work-term placement. This in turn creates a rewarding opportunity for the student to apply their learning in real-world settings and puts them on a path to a bright career.

The program provides 50% (to a maximum of $5000.00) of a student’s pay in wage subsidies to employers.

An increased subsidy of 70% (to a maximum of $7000.00) is awarded to employers hiring students from under-represented groups:

Women studying Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths (STEM)
Indigenous students
Visible minorities
New Canadians (within 5 years)
Persons with disabilities
Students in their first year of study

Placement Period Calendar

Fall 2022 Program (September 1 – December 31) – Closed
Winter 2023 Program (January 1 – April 30) – Closed
Summer 2023 Program (May 1 – August 31) – Opening on February 15 at 1pm EST

FAQs

Am I eligible?

We accept applications from registered Canadian businesses and non-profits who can provide a meaningful, tech-focused work placement opportunity to a student. Check out our employer resources to learn more. Large financial sector employers are no longer eligible, as well as post-secondary institutions and municipalities.

Students must be registered in an accredited Canadian post-secondary institution and must work in a role that is tech immersive – although they aren’t required to be studying something in tech! Check out our student resources to learn more. Unfortunately, we can’t award this subsidy to international students at this time.

Net New refers to growing the number of students you hire each year and represents the number of work placement subsidies you are eligible for. See the Net New section in the FAQ and/or Program Guides.

What is Net New?

Net new is determined by subtracting the number of students your company is intending to hire (forecast) in the current fiscal year, including those already hired, from the number of students hired by your company in a fiscal year prior to first participating in this program (baseline).

For example, if your company hired 3 students in the fiscal year (April 1 to March 31) prior to applying for funding, 3 is your baseline. Then, your company must intend to hire at least 4 students in your forecast of hires within that fiscal year to qualify for 1 subsidy to support the increase.

Forecast – baseline = net new student placements eligible for wage subsidy

We recommend creating an application in the portal to take advantage of the online Net New calculator.

How much will it cost?

Hourly salary is up to the employer; the table below uses $16 per hour as an example.

The student’s hourly wage is set by the employer, abiding by enforced minimum wage requirements. Students can be employed for full-time or part-time hours, and you can apply in consecutive placement periods!

Students must be employed as a fixed term employee and cannot be hired as a freelancer/consultant.

How long do I hire for?

Work terms typically last 12 – 16 weeks during one of three placement periods:

Winter (January – April)
Summer (May – August)
Fall (September – December)

Students can be employed full-time or part-time hours, and you can apply in consecutive placement periods! Students must be employed as a fixed term employee and cannot be hired as a freelancer/consultant.

What roles are eligible?

We support any tech-immersive roles across many different disciplines and functions, and you don’t need to be a tech company to promote tech skills development. Some common examples include:

Marketing: market research, industry analysis, digital marketing, branding, design, communications
Strategy: consulting, analysts, business development
Data & tech: data analysis, AI / machine learning, software development, IT support

Program Coordinators are available if you have any questions regarding eligible roles – check in this us by email.

How do I apply, and how long does it take?

We proudly offer a quick and easy 3 stage process at our online application portal. The first stage, applying, will take about 10-12 minutes to complete. You’ll receive your approval notification within just 5 – 10 business days. There are two simple follow-up stages. Click here to start your application today!

When are the deadlines?

We accept applications on a rolling basis and will update our site and applicants if funding becomes limited. Applications must be submitted before or during the placement period. For example, applications for Fall 2022 won’t be considered if received in January 2023.