Employment Related Funding Opportunities for Tech Employers in Greater Victoria
Last updated: Feb 1st 2024
Know of a wage subsidy, grant, or other funding opportunities that arenât on this list? Found some info that is out of date? Need some help navigating these resources? Contact info@viatec.ca
Student Work Placement Program (SWPP)
What:
50% coverage per student, or 75% if hiring from an underrepresented group
When:
Rolling applications, internships starting in September, January, May.*
Update Feb 2022: The Technation - Career Ready Program has confirmed that it will be extended to 2024
Details, requirements, and where to apply:
SWPP has multiple delivery partners, with different available funding for the program. We suggest you target as many are relevant to your business:
- Magnet Details - All Sectors
- Venture for Canada Details - All Sectors
- BioTalent Details - Biotech Sector Only
- Electricity Canada Details - Electricity Sector Only
- Eco Canada Application - Environmental Sector; STEM, Arts, Business Roles Only
- TECHNATION â Career Ready Program - Roles must immerse students in tech relevant to their field of study
Can it be stacked with other funding?
In short, it depends.
For most SWPP delivery partners, partial government funds from provincial/territorial/municipal sources are permitted but only funds from non-governmental sources can be subsidized under this program (for example, a position paid with 60% provincial grant funding is only eligible for a subsidy on the 40% of the non-governmental funds from the employer).
For the BioTalent, Eco Canada, Electricity HR, Venture for Canada and Technation, the funding may be stacked with other, non-federal funding (such as the BC Tech Co-op Grant) such that the total grant amount covers up to $10,000 of the student's salary. The combined value of grants cannot exceed the student's salary.
What:
Riipen, a former VIATEC Accelerator participant, is providing this innovative, free, and fully remote internship program. Sponsored by the Government of Canada, Level Up supports businesses and prepares Canadian post-secondary students to thrive in the future of work. Students connect with organizations for short-term, fully-funded projects that help the participating business grow. Unlike other funding programs, the Level Up program pays a stipend directly to the student, saving administrative time and labour for participating employers.
Where to apply:Â
No application needed, simply get started through: https://www.riipen.com/levelup
When:
Ongoing (subject to fund availability).
Details and Requirements:
Level UP overview (English)
Level UP Overview (French)
Can it be stacked with other funding?Â
Yes.
Venture for Canada Intrapreneurship Program
What:
Venture for Canada's Intrapreneurship program offers fully subsidized project support from a group or individual students from underserved communities. Startups and SME's can submit projects requiring up to 350 hours on a 7-week time frame and will be paired with students that fit the skillset. Venture for Canada provides onboarding, support tips, and project funding as you check in with students throughout.
Where to apply:Â
Venture for Canada Interest Form
When:
Ongoing.
Details and Requirements:
- Have less than 500 staff.
https://ventureforcanada.ca/employers/intrapreneurship
Can it be stacked with other funding?Â
Not Applicable. Venture for Canada pays students directly for their roles.
Innovator Skills Initiative
Employers can apply for an Innovator Skills Initiative hiring grant valued at up to $10,000 to supplement a new employeeâs salary. Employers may receive up to 10 (ten) Innovator Skills Initiative grants through Innovate BC for 10 (ten) different employees per program year and maximum one grant per candidate per employer. Each application is for ONE employee, please submit a separate application for each employee.
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Where to apply:
Innovator Skills Initiative
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When:
Currently closed for 2023 with waitlist, expected to reopen for 2024 mid-year.
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Details and requirements:
https://www.innovatebc.ca/programs/hiring-grants/innovator-skills-initiative/
Can it be stacked with other funding?
Yes, grant stacking is permitted as long as the combined value of all grant funding does not exceed the employeeâs salary. Limitations apply: Grants supported by Innovator Skills Initiative funds through their partners (e.g. Mitacs and ICTC) are not eligible for the same employee at the same time.
Digital Skills for Youth (DS4Y)
What:
A 100% coverage grant of up to $25,500, including training and capital (e.g. assistive equipment) costs.
Funds are paid retroactively.
Where to apply:
When:
Rolling cycle of applications, opens periodically.
Details and requirements:
Can it be stacked with other funding?
Yes, provided the organization doesnât receive in excess of 100% of the internâs salary. Can not be stacked with EI.
NRC IRAP Innovation
Assistance Program
What:
Up to 80% contribution for T4'd employees, 50% for contractors for technological innovation projects. Must be a Canadian, incorporated, for profit business with less than 500 employees.
Where to apply:
Call 1-877-994-4727 to find a Client Engagement Advisor in your area.
When:
Ongoing, although funding pool decreases throughout the government fiscal year (fiscal year end is March).Â
Details and requirements:
NRC IRAP About Page
Can it be stacked with other funding?
Yes, the non-IRAP funded portion.
NRC IRAP Youth Employment Program
What:
Up to 100% to hire a post-secondary graduate ages 15-30, typically $20-$30K. Must be a Canadian, incorporated, for profit business with less than 500 employees.
Where to apply:
Call 1-877-994-4727 to find a Client Engagement Advisor in your area.
When:
Ongoing, although funding pool decreases throughout the government fiscal year (fiscal year end is March).
Details and requirements:
NRC IRAP Youth Employment Program About Page
Guides.co Breakdown
Can it be stacked with other funding?
No.
Mitacs Accelerate BC
What:
$7,500 (50%) of a graduateâs salary for a 4-month research term with your company.
Where to apply:
Mitacs Proposal Submission
When:
Ongoing, minimum 4-month projects.
Details and requirements:
Mitacs Details
Can it be stacked with other funding?
Yes. Partner organizations are welcome to contribute additional funding but Mitacs will not provide any additional funding outside of the standard award. This additional partner funding should be included in the application budget and the anticipated use of funds (e.g. stipend/salary top-up, specialized equipment).
Get Youth Working
What:
$2,800 hiring incentive to hire eligible youth 17Â to 29 years of age, as well as a $1,000 training fund for the newly hired youth. Youth must not be a full-time student.
Where to apply:
Get Youth Working Application
When:
Ongoing. Positions must be at least 3 months long, preference given to positions over 6 months long.
Employers will NOT qualify if the employee is hired prior to signing the Get Youth Working Funding Agreement.
Details and requirements:
Get Youth Working Program Details
Get Youth Working Youth Eligibility Requirements
Can it be stacked with other funding?
The Youth can not be participating in another provincially or federally funded labour market program (excluding WorkBC).
New Ventures BC ISI Grant
What:
Up to $10,000 a year to BC-based companies to hire non-co-op post secondary students.
Where to apply:
ISI Application Portal
When:
Terms start in May and September. Waitlist currently closed. Check the details link to see when the waitlist reopens.
Details and requirements:
New Ventures BC ISI Details
Can it be stacked with other funding?
Yes, as long as the total doesnât exceed the studentâs salary.
BC Employer Training Grant Program
What:
Reimbursements of 60-100% for eligible training costs to upskill employees.
Where to apply:
Skills Training Grants Application System
When:
Ongoing.
Details and requirements:
Employer Training Grant Details
Can it be stacked with other funding?
Applicants may not receive funding from another government program that duplicates the costs requested through the ETG. For the streams where employers are required to contribute funds, employers may seek funding from other sources to cover their contribution.