Employers who hire through work-integrated learning programs are able to develop in-demand skill sets, such as critical thinking, decision-making, and collaborating, which employers say are some of the most important skills in digital agriculture. Each student who participates in experiential learning creates on average $401 in additional value per month for their employer.
There are many different funding opportunities available to employers year-round. Some programs even offer up to three funding cycles a year. Student placements can have flexible start and end dates, as well as duration.
Check their website for the next application period.
The AgriDiversity Program assists Canadian organizations working in the agriculture and agri-food sector to support projects aimed at helping Indigenous Peoples, and other underrepresented and marginalized groups. AAFC will cover a maximum of 70% of eligible costs and funding, up-to $200,000 per year. This program is for not-for-profit organizations and academia organizations.
Apply Here. Visit AgriDiversity Program – agriculture.canada.ca to learn more.
Check their website for the next application period
This program looks to support jobs for youth in the agriculture and agri-food industry. YESP offers to cover 50% of wages for youth with non-barriers and 80% of salaries of youth facing employment barriers, with a maximum of up to $14,000. YESP can also provide up to $5,000 in additional support to offset the employment barrier, such as relocation expenses, transportation, accessibility tools, accommodation needs, etc. Youth facing employment barriers can include Indigenous youth, youth with disability, racialized youth, etc. Applications from Indigenous applicants will be prioritized.
Apply today. Visit YESP to learn more.
Currently accepting summer term applications until July 31, 2025.
Biotalent’s SWPP offers employers up to $7,000 in paid internships to help hire post-secondary students in STEM, biotechnology, and many other programs. This program looks to support talent development and increase job-readiness.
Learn more about current and future funding opportunities.
Currently accepting applications.
BioTalent’s Career Starter Program helps facilitate the transition of barriered youth and those furthest from employment, aged 15-30, into the labour market, and introduce them to a career in the bioeconomy. This program provides employers with 60% of a youth’s salary, with a maximum of $20,000 including wrap-around services for a three to six-month full-time position.
Learn more about the Career Starter Program.
Check their website for the next application period.
BioTalent’s Science Horizons Youth Internship Program is a wage subsidy for employers in STEM related fields to hire post-secondary graduates. Employers hire new talent, while students develop their skills and on-the-job experience. Eligible employers can receive up to 80% coverage of a participant’s salary, with a maximum of $25,000. There is an additional wage subsidy of up to $5,000 to cover training or development costs that employers may be eligible for. The internship program must be full-time for six to twelve months. STEM has helped grow the digital agriculture sector with innovative technologies, and address food security. This program is great for those in agri-food, plant proteins, and digital agriculture.
Check their website for the next application period.
The BioTalent Digital Skills for Youth program helps advance digital innovations by enhancing the digital and soft skills of post-secondary graduates through work and training opportunities. Eligible employers can receive 80% in wage subsidies, up to a maximum of $24,000 – a combination of wage subsidies and training costs. The internship must be full-time – at least 30 hours a week – for a minimum duration of 3 months. Employers must be a small or medium sized Canadian organization (under 500 employees) that provides digital internships with skill development training, mentoring, and support.
To see the full list of digital internship and training examples, and how to apply visit Digital Skills for Youth – BioTalent Canada.
Accepting Applications for Winter 2025.
CAHRC’s Growing Opportunities Student Wage Subsidy Program allows employers to hire post-secondary students as part of a work-integrated learning program. Employers can receive funding up to 50% of wages, to a maximum of $5,000 or up to 70% of wages, to a maximum of $7,000 for placements from underrepresented groups (women in STEM, Indigenous students, newcomers, etc).
Learn more about this program and how it focuses on connecting post-secondary students and employers in the agriculture industry to prepare a strong workforce for Canadian agriculture.
Check their website for the next application period.
The Canada Summer Jobs Grant funds experiential learning opportunities. It is a wage subsidy for not-for-profit, public sector, and private sector organizations to employ youth aged 15-30 and create a quality summer work experience. Not-for-profit employers can receive funding up to 100% of the provincial minimum wage, while the public and private sectors can receive up to 50% of the provincial minimum wage. The position must be full time (30-40 hours per week), and must be between 6 to 16 consecutive weeks.
Learn more about funding opportunities.
Currently accepting summer term applications until July 15, 2025.
ICTC WIL Digital Program helps employers grow their businesses by providing funding to hire post-secondary students within the digital economy. WIL Digital provides 50% of the student’s salary up to $5,000, or 70% up to $7,000 for underrepresented students. Learn more about applying for WIL Digital Funding.
Reach out to EMILI at info@emilicanada.com to learn more about a fast-track application process for Manitoba digital agriculture companies.
Applications accepted year-round.
The Mitacs Accelerate program connects organizations with post-secondary students to help solve industry research challenges by providing funding for innovative projects. Students can be from any academic discipline.
Project proposals can be submitted year-round.
Applicable to all Mitacs programs, no submission deadlines.
Mitacs offers further funding to help empower Indigenous innovation, with Mitacs | Indigenous. Partner organizations will only need to contribute 25% of total project costs. To qualify, partner organizations must be at least 50% Indigenous owned, a not-for-profit organization with a board of directors of at least 50% who self-identify as Indigenous, have an Indigenous mandate, or have a self-identified Indigenous intern. This pathway is applicable to all Mitacs programs.
Check their website for the next application period.
The First Jobs Fund looks to support non-profit organizations or non-government organizations looking to hire youth between the ages of 15 to 29 who face multiple barriers to employment. Priority will be given to proposals that include paid work opportunities, Indigenous-led organizations, and organizations who support Truth and Reconciliation activities.
Visit First Jobs Fund to learn more and to apply.