Graduate to Opportunity Program

Hiring skilled talent can be one of the biggest barriers to growth for Nova Scotia employers, especially when competing with larger markets. The Graduate to Opportunity Program is designed to ease that challenge by helping businesses bring recent post-secondary graduates into permanent, full-time roles while offsetting a meaningful share of payroll costs. Delivered by the Government of Nova Scotia, this program focuses on strengthening the local workforce and encouraging graduates to build their careers in the province across a wide range of industries.

Through the GTO Grow stream, employers can receive a non-repayable wage subsidy that covers roughly a quarter of a new graduate’s salary in the first year and a smaller portion in the second year, making it easier to create a new role tied to the graduate’s field of study. For companies with more advanced innovation needs, GTO Innovate supports the hiring of master’s or PhD graduates into roles focused on research, product development, and process improvement, with higher salary support reflecting the specialized nature of these positions. Additional support may be available when hiring graduates from underrepresented groups, further enhancing the program’s impact.

The Graduate to Opportunity Program is currently accepting applications and can be a strong fit for Nova Scotia employers planning long-term growth through talent investment. Reviewing the full program details can help determine which stream aligns best with your hiring goals.