Co-op Students Hiring Incentive

Hiring post-secondary talent can be a smart way for Manitoba employers to build capacity while giving students meaningful, paid experience. The Co-op Students Hiring Incentive helps make that easier by offsetting part of the cost of bringing a co-op student onto your team. Offered by the Government of Manitoba, this incentive supports employers who participate in recognized co‑operative education programs and want to turn short-term placements into productive, real-world learning opportunities.

Through this program, businesses can recover a portion of the wages paid to eligible co-op students, with funding support of up to about $5,000 per student. The incentive is structured as a refundable tax credit, which means it can provide value even if your business has limited tax payable in a given year. It’s used by a wide range of small, medium-sized, and larger employers across industries, particularly those looking to strengthen their workforce pipeline, test future hires, or take on projects that benefit from fresh skills and perspectives.

The Co-op Students Hiring Incentive is generally available on an ongoing basis for employers meeting certain requirements and hiring students from approved programs. For Manitoba businesses considering their next co-op hire, understanding how this incentive works and how it fits into your payroll and tax planning can make a real difference. Exploring the full details can help you decide if this support aligns with your hiring plans.