Gearing Up Student Work Placement Program (SWPP): How to Apply

Gearing Up Student Work Placement Program (SWPP): How to Apply

Hiring students is a smart way to grow your team, but wages can be expensive. The Gearing Up — Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) helps employers by offering a federal wage subsidy of up to $7,000 per student placement. This program is delivered by the Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR) and supports work-integrated learning roles in mining and mining-related fields.

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What Is the Gearing Up Student Work Placement Program?

Gearing Up is a federal wage subsidy under the national Student Work Placement Program (SWPP). It helps employers create new, paid work-integrated learning (WIL) opportunities for post-secondary students in mining and mining-related programs.

Key facts:

• Funding amount: Up to $7,000 per eligible student placement
• What it covers: Student wages
• Delivered by: Mining Industry Human Resources Council (MiHR)
• Available in: All of Canada
• Program status: Open
• Repayable: Yes, if program terms are not met

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Who Is Eligible for Gearing Up SWPP?

Employer Eligibility

Your organization may qualify if it:

• Works in mining or a mining-related sector
• Offers paid, new work-integrated learning placements
• Can provide proper supervision and clear learning outcomes
• Follows all employment standards

Eligible employers include private companies. Not-for-profits and some public sector organizations may also be eligible. The role must fit MiHR’s criteria.

Student Eligibility

The student must be:

• Enrolled in a post-secondary mining or mining-related program
• Legally allowed to work in Canada

The program also encourages students from underrepresented groups, such as:

• Women in STEM
• Indigenous peoples
• Persons with disabilities
• Recent immigrants
• Visible minorities
• First-year students

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What Costs Does the Gearing Up Wage Subsidy Cover?

The Gearing Up SWPP subsidy covers:

• Student wages only

It does not cover:

• Employer training costs
• Equipment or materials
• Overhead or administrative expenses

You must pay a fair wage that meets employment standards. The position should offer a real learning experience.

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How to Apply for the Gearing Up Student Work Placement Program

The application process is led by the employer and managed by MiHR.

Step-by-step process:

1. Check eligibility
   Make sure your organization and the student role meet MiHR’s requirements.
2. Plan the placement
   Write a job description, set learning outcomes, decide on a wage, and choose the placement length.
3. Apply through MiHR
   Fill out the application form with details about your organization and the role.
4. Wait for approval before the placement starts
   You must be approved before the student begins work.
5. Hire the student and keep payroll records
   Track wages and meet all reporting rules.
6. Submit claims and reports
   You’ll be reimbursed based on approved wage costs if you follow the program rules.

You can use tools like GrantHub’s eligibility matcher. This helps you quickly check if Gearing Up or other student wage subsidies fit your business before you apply.

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Can Gearing Up Be Combined With Other Wage Subsidies?

Usually, stacking restrictions apply. You cannot claim more than one federal wage subsidy for the same student’s wages. Some provincial programs may be allowed, but you need to check the rules before applying.

For more information, see How Student Work Placement Wage Subsidies Stack With Provincial Hiring Incentives.

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Applying after the student starts
   You must get approval before the placement begins.
2. Using a role that doesn’t qualify
   Jobs without learning outcomes, such as general labour or admin only, may be rejected.
3. Assuming all wages are covered
   The program covers up to $7,000 per placement, not all wages.
4. Ignoring repayment rules
   If you don’t follow the program terms, you may have to pay the money back.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How much funding can I receive through Gearing Up SWPP?
You can receive up to $7,000 per eligible student placement, depending on approved wage costs.

Q: Is the Gearing Up wage subsidy repayable?
Yes. If you don’t meet program terms, such as finishing the placement or sending in reports, you may need to repay the funding.

Q: What types of students qualify for Gearing Up?
Students must be enrolled in post-secondary mining or mining-related programs. The program encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

Q: Who applies — the student or the employer?
The employer applies. The funding is tied to the job placement, not just the student.

Q: Does Gearing Up only apply to large mining companies?
No. Small and mid-sized employers in mining-related fields can also qualify if the role fits MiHR’s criteria.

GrantHub tracks hundreds of grant and wage subsidy programs for Canadian employers. Check which ones match your business profile.

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Next Steps

If you want to hire a student in a mining-related role, the Gearing Up Student Work Placement Program can help lower your wage costs. Before you apply, confirm you meet all eligibility rules, check stacking limits, and plan your timeline. GrantHub can help you compare Gearing Up with other student hiring programs, so you can find the best support for your business.

See also:

• Federal vs Provincial Wage Subsidy Programs in Canada: Key Differences
• Common Mistakes Employers Make When Applying for Wage Subsidy Grants
• How to Use Wage Subsidy and Student Hiring Programs to Reduce Staffing Costs