Are you interested in hiring a co-op student to join your team but not sure how you’ll cover the cost of his or her employment? If you are a small- to medium-sized enterprise (‘SME’) located in the Southern Interior, you may be eligible for a grant through the Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust (‘SIDIT’).

In support of UBC Okanagan’s (‘UBCO’) newly expanded Co-op Program, which includes students from a wide variety of programs, SIDIT provides grant incentives to assist with the associated costs of hiring a co-op student. SMEs within the following categories are eligible to apply:

  • Start-ups;
  • Family businesses;
  • Entrepreneurs;
  • Manufacturing and agricultural companies with less than 50 people; and
  • Not-for-profit organizations.

In addition, SMEs who have a direct impact on community and organizational development through sectors including tourism, agriculture, small business, transportation, and economic development are preferred as work experience providers.

Co-op work terms run for four months at a time in the summer, winter, and spring. The next eligible work term is summer 2017, which will run from May to August. The deadline to apply for the summer 2017 SIDIT-UBC Co-op Grant is April 30, 2017.

Apply today for the opportunity to provide an enriching work experience for a student who is eager to positively contribute to your team!

Learn more about the program by reviewing the Co-Op Grant Guidelines. To apply, click here.

For information on other funding resources for Co-op Employers, click here.

Questions? Contact the UBC Okanagan Co-Op Office by phone (250) 807-9623 or via email coop.ok@ubc.ca.