The Canadian government is providing $4.4 million to Venture for Canada to help students access work at startups in Atlantic Canada.
The money will specifically help open up spaces to 505 students. The funding is part of the government’s Student Work Placements Program, which is dedicating $73 million over the next four years to create over 10,000 paid student work placements in STEM. That initiative was announced in the government’s 2017 budget.
“When Canadian students get on-the-job education, they’re getting the experience they need to succeed,” said Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour. “Our Innovation and Skills Plan is putting Canada’s skilled, talented and creative people at the heart of a more innovative future economy.”
Under the Student Work Placements Program, the government also announced that it would be dedicating $1 million per year to create up to 500 new placements over three years for students in STEM working specifically in artificial intelligence.
“Through the Government of Canada’s support, Venture for Canada will provide Atlantic Canadian post-secondary students with the work integrated learning opportunities needed to learn skills, gain work experience, share knowledge and build resilience, all the while contributing to the growth of innovative small and medium sized enterprises in the region.”
This funding announcement comes just over a week after Venture for Canada, which recruits and trains youth to work at startups, received $1.4 million from the Ontario government.