ECO Canada — Student Work Placement Program

Hiring student talent can be a smart way for environmental and clean technology organizations to move projects forward while building future capacity. The ECO Canada Student Work Placement Program is designed to help employers working on environmental initiatives bring post-secondary students into their teams, while significantly reducing the cost of hiring. Through this program, businesses across Canada can receive wage support covering roughly half to up to 70% of a student’s pay, with funding reaching up to about $7,000 per placement.

The program connects employers with students studying in STEAM or business-related fields and supports paid placements that typically run between six and sixteen weeks, either full-time or part-time. These placements are meant to provide meaningful, real-world experience that aligns with environmental work, from clean technology projects and sustainability initiatives to environmental research or operations. Businesses of various sizes can participate, making this an accessible option for both growing companies and larger organizations looking to add short-term capacity or explore new ideas with emerging talent.

For employers looking to strengthen their workforce, advance environmental projects, and mentor the next generation of professionals, this wage subsidy can make student hiring far more feasible. Reviewing the full program details can help determine how a placement might fit into your current or upcoming projects.