Expanded SWPP Funding - April 2020

April 8, 2020

Re: Amendments to the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)

In these challenging and unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, we understand that our industry needs all the support it can get. In response to these challenges, the Federal Government (Employment and Social Development Canada, ESDC) has updated the guidelines for the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP).

Effective immediately, ESDC is introducing the following changes to the SWPP:

  • Post-secondary education institutions – colleges, CEGEPs, polytechnics  and universities – now qualify as SWPP Employer partners; schools providing students with meaningful paid work-integrated learning (WIL) experience will qualify to apply for the SWPP funding.
  • Employers Partners will have the flexibility to postpone the start date of work placements to avoid rescinding placements.
  • Work placements may be shorter than twelve weeks.
  • Depending on the nature of the work, remote working may now qualify as suitable work-integrated learning (WIL) experience.
  • Advance payment on wage subsidies: small and medium-sized Employers (with fewer than 500 employees) and not-for-profit organizations may qualify to receive a percentage of the total wage subsidy (per student per term) as soon as the student(s) start their work placement, if there is an operational cash flow need; eligibility for advance payment will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
  • All aviation and aerospace businesses and post-secondary education institutions may be pre-approved if desired, even before selection of one or more students; this is subject to the  students being eligible for SWPP – see eligibility criteria below.
  • There is funding available for:
    • Part-time and full-time students registered in programs other than STEM and business.
    • Part-time work placements.

Please note these measures will be in place until March 31, 2021.

Net New Increase in Student Placements clause (CURRENTLY NOT IN EFFECT UNTIL MARCH 2022)
The purpose of the SWPP funding is to motivate employers to increase their number of student work placements. Funding will only be provided to employers demonstrating a net increase in the number of work placements when compared to the previous year. We understand that, with the economic impact of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult for companies to gage exactly how many students will be hired within the next 12 months but we ask for a best-case-scenario approximation of your hiring plans for the future (as of the date the application is submitted).

Apply today in 5 simple steps!

  1. The Employer completes the simple online form: www.avaerocouncil.ca/en/swpp
  2. Students visit www.avaerocouncil.ca/en/swpp-student to fill out their application
  3. CCAA assesses eligibility for funding within 48 hours and contacts the Employer – See eligibility criteria: https://www.avaerocouncil.ca/en/swpp-eligibility-criteria
  4. Upon approval, the Employer provides simple documents to support their application.
  5. CCAA and the Employer sign a contract and agree to a payment schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions, here