Seeding the Next Generation of Environmental Workers - 
Wage Funding Programs to Hire Summer Students or Interns

At ECO Canada, we believe in giving students and recent graduates opportunities to put their knowledge into action. Our Employment Programs provide wage funding for organizations to expand their workforce and hire young professionals with knowledge of the latest advancements in STEAM, business and digital technology.

Summer Student Work Placement Funding
Applications are now open for Summer Student Work Placements. Funding is available for environmental employers looking to hire the brightest minds in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM) and Business students, with no age restrictions, for 6-16 week placements.

Eligible organizations can get up to 50% of a student’s salary covered to a maximum of $5,000.

Students and employers interested in applying for funding can find out if they’re eligible through our quick online assessment.

“I am excited about this investment in the workforce of tomorrow… By encouraging employers to hire youth, including northern, remote and Indigenous youth, we are helping build a diverse, qualified labour pool and create a green economy that benefits all Canadians.”

The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources

Funding For Full-Time Jobs
Limited placements remain for our Digital Skills for Youth wage funding program - eligible organizations can get up to $15,000 to hire youth for roles requiring digital skills in the environmental sector.

Through this internship program, your business can increase the supply of highly qualified candidates and facilitate their transition to a rapidly changing labour market in the digital economy.

The Digital Skills for Youth program allows you to leverage the knowledge of a tech-savvy, educated youth population to future-proof your business. As a host organization, you give candidates the opportunity to combine their digital skills and knowledge with soft skills such as communication, problem-solving, and teamwork.

Interested organizations looking to apply should use our easy online assessment tool. 

We have also opened the waitlist for our popular full-time youth internship programs to hire post-secondary graduates for roles in STEM and Natural Resources.  These programs are funded through Environment and Climate Change Canada's Science Horizons Internship and Natural Resources Canada.

Click here to join the waitlist and be first to be notified when funding becomes available. 

ECO Canada’s employment programs have helped create over 7,500 jobs to date and distributed over $50 million in funding to eligible employers across Canada while providing valuable work experience to students.

View the Video to Learn How it Works

Funding provided by

ECO Canada is the steward for the Canadian environmental workforce across all industries. From job creation and wage funding to training and labour market research, we champion the end-to-end career of an environmental professional. Together with the federal government, as part of Canada’s Work Integrated Learning Strategy, ECO Canada offers funding for eligible employers to help students kick-start their career path in the environmental sector.