The student workforce has always been an available resource full of potential. It’s a great asset for organizations to drive more results with the help of fresh and energized recruits. These students are willing to seize the opportunity to learn and aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty while training.
Given this unprecedented time, the government is encouraging employers to hire students more than ever through a plethora of available programs. One of those programs is the Co-operative Education Incentive (CEI).
CEI is a Nova Scotia program providing wage assistance to organizations, who are offering work-term opportunities for students.
Eligible employers are private-sector, government-funded, non-profit, or charitable organizations as well as a social enterprise or a municipality organization.
They must hire co-operative education students for a work term of 12 to 16 weeks
and pay them at least $15 per hour, plus vacation pay, for 32.5 to 40 hours of work per week.
Employers enrolled in the program receive payment for 50 per cent of the work term subsidy.
There’s a “diversity bonus” of an additional $1.5 per hour for hiring students who identify within a diversity group.
All funds will be reimbursed at the end of the work term.
Students looking for work-placement experience must be enrolled in a co-operative education program at a Nova Scotia university or college to be eligible.
The co-op terms are available for summer, fall and winter periods. The summer 2020 application has re-opened, and it’s recommended to apply as soon as possible for applications to be considered.
For the summer 2020 period, an advance payment for 60 per cent of the work term subsidy will be paid to employers.
The CEI payment is also stackable with other wage incentive programs up to 90 per cent, for example the Student Work Placement Program. There are other federal delivery partners and industry associations available listed in this link, provided by Acadia University.
The stacking can also cover 100 per cent of wages for students from the designated diversity group.
When setting up the application process, employers need to follow these steps:
- Create a job description, including position title, start and end dates, hours per week, hourly wage and work location.
- Identify supervisors, duties, qualifications, required competencies and work-term outcomes.
- Clarify to students what to include in their applications, from resume and cover letter to transcripts.
- Provide a deadline date by which students should submit their applications.
- State your commitment to diversity and accommodation. It’s recommended to be an inclusive employer since the student workforce is very diverse. Students with specific accommodations should be encouraged to make those requests known for interviews.
- Apply online through LaMPSS, once job descriptions are reviewed and approved. Organizations must be registered with LaMPSS beforehand.
- If you’re not already registered, fill out a LaMPSS External Access Form. Approval usually doesn’t take longer than one business day.
- It’s suggested to be a LaMPSS-registered organization well in advance of the funding application deadline.
CEI provides a great opportunity for both employers and students. The Nova Scotia government is providing the program to ensure the benefit of both parties: maintaining successful business and retaining students within the province, as well as the ultimate revival of the economy.
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