Magnet — Student Work Placement Program

Hiring students can be a smart way to build future talent, but wage costs and recruitment time can be real barriers. The Magnet — Student Work Placement Program helps Canadian employers bring post-secondary students into their organizations through paid, hands-on work experiences while significantly reducing payroll costs. Available nationwide and open to businesses, nonprofits, and larger organizations across virtually all industries, the program is designed to make student hiring more accessible and practical.

Through Magnet, employers can receive a wage subsidy that covers a meaningful portion of a student’s wages, with funding support of up to about $7,000 per placement when hiring students from underrepresented groups. Even standard student placements benefit from partial wage coverage, making it easier to create net new roles that support day-to-day operations, project work, or longer-term talent development. In addition to funding, Magnet connects employers to students through its national recruitment platform, allowing job postings to reach a wide network of colleges, universities, and other post-secondary institutions across Canada.

The program is particularly valuable for organizations looking to strengthen their talent pipeline, test new roles, or support diversity in hiring while managing costs. Applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis, with funding allocated as space allows. For employers considering a student placement, learning more about how the program works and what’s required can help determine if this opportunity is the right fit.