Student Work Placement Program data shows strong and consistent employer demand for student hiring
Despite the lagging numbers around youth employment, the most recent data for the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP) demonstrates that employers still understand the value of hiring students and remain willing to bring youth talent onboard.
The Government of Canada has also recognized the importance of these programs both in helping students build early experience and enabling employers to continue making valuable hires during a time of economic uncertainty.
Recently, the Government announced an additional investment of $635.2 million in SWPP over three years. Starting in 2026-27, this funding will support approximately 55,000 new opportunities for post-secondary students in Canada. In the official announcement, the Hon. Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families, stated, “Canada’s economic future depends on youth. That’s why we are taking steps to ensure that every young person has access to meaningful job opportunities and the support they need to thrive.”
Even as youth unemployment remains elevated nationally, employer demand through SWPP remains remarkably stable. As one of 18 SWPP delivery partners across Canada, Magnet saw consistently high-demand for SWPP wage subsidies across 2025-26, with Magnet fulfilling 100% of the placements allotted to us. For applications above and beyond our allotment, Magnet referred employers to delivery partners in other sectors who could support their application.
Further findings also pointed to the SWPP’s effectiveness as a program designed to have a national impact and reach students from underrepresented populations more likely to feel the brunt of spikes in unemployment. In Winter 2026, 52% of hires through SWPP self-identified as belonging to an underrepresented group. That number was 70% for Fall 2025.
Student hiring still matters for Canada’s workforce and economy
Testimonials collected from students and employers spoke to the value of SWPP-funded placements. Employers emphasized the importance of the SWPP funding in making hiring possible, especially in an unpredictable climate, and the value of new perspectives and energy offered by student hires:
- “Because of the funding model, we have been able to add to our workforce with fresh ideas and up to date knowledge that we might not have been able to afford without it. Each student has brought unique abilities to our situation and we are the better for it.” Larry Smith, Chief Operating Officer, Jet Automation Inc
- “[SWPP] has become an integral part of our identity. By welcoming two co-op students each semester, we’ve not only filled critical staffing gaps, but also cultivated a dynamic work environment that promotes innovation, efficiency, and exceptional patient care.“ Dr. Jenna Bender, Owner, Eye Care For You
Dr. Bender also reinforced what Magnet has argued in the past, which is that SWPP isn’t just a win for an organization, but an opportunity for businesses to take on roles as leaders in building the future workforce. “[SWPP] is more than an educational partnership—it’s a strategic investment in our clinic’s growth and the future of healthcare,” she added.
Student alumni of the program expressed appreciation not just for the work experience, but for the confidence they built during their placement. Noemie McCook-Muller, a participant from Algonquin College in Ontario said, “I really appreciated that I had access to experts and guidance at every turn. I am more familiar with the software [that] relates directly to my field of study, but I also learned other software and coding languages that are beneficial such as Excel, Python, and Dynamo, and that wasn’t even something we learned about in school.”
This investment from the Government offers employers the predictability and incentive they need to hire and train students at a moment when, as noted by Smith, hiring might be out of reach. While one program unfortunately can’t entirely reverse the current trends around youth unemployment, SWPP encourages employers to play a role in meaningfully countering some of its harmful effects. Based on recent uptake, we are confident that employers across Canada are responding.
