Student Employment Programs - SEP

The Student Employment Programs (SEP) provide funding for career-related work experience for students enrolled in post-secondary education. The programs, administered by the Office of Economic Development, are:

Summary

The program partners with approved employers to create skills-based work experience and learning opportunities throughout Nova Scotia for post-secondary co-operative education students who are enrolled in approved institutions outlined by the Office of Economic Development.

Eligibility Criteria

The following organizations are eligible to apply:

• Non-profit organizations registered and/or incorporated.
• Government funded organizations as defined under the program guidelines including: colleges, universities, schools, school boards, medical care clinics, hospitals and special care facilities. Private special care homes are not eligible.
• Municipal government departments.

Please take note that positions must be located in Nova Scotia.

Funding

Government-funded organizations and municipal government departments receive a subsidy of 50% of the student's hourly wage up to a maximum of $5.00 per hour.

Non-profit organizations receive a subsidy of $5.00 per hour. Non-profit organizations may apply for an advance payment up to 75% of approved funding.

Positions must be full-time. A student must work at least the minimum hours per week approved by the student's institution, during the approved weeks in order to receive the subsidy. The subsidy will not be paid for hours worked in excess of 35 hours per week.

Terms and Conditions

• Employers must pay at least a minimum of $9.00 per hour and 4% vacation pay. Employers are responsible for Employment Insurance, Canada Pension premiums and Worker’s Compensation coverage.
• Positions must be related to the student’s field(s) of study and be acceptable to the Co-op Program Coordinator at the student’s institution. Applicants must speak with a coordinator, from the list provided, prior to submitting an application.
• The position offered to the co-op student must not displace any existing staff.
• A wage subsidy will not be paid if wages are also funded by another employment assistance program.

For further information, please visit the Cooperative Employment Program web site.

2.  Student Career Skills Development Program

The Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development supports career skills-oriented positions for students attending post-secondary institutions full time in the upcoming school year. The program provides a wage rebate for a minimum of 8 weeks and a maximum of 13.8 weeks of continuous employment within dates specified by the program each year.

Eligibility Criteria

Only those employers complying with provincial legislation are eligible to apply. For further information, visit the 2006 Program Guidelines. Please take note that positions must be located in Nova Scotia.

Funding

• Funding is available for a minimum of 28 and a maximum of 35 hours weekly.
• A wage rebate of $5 per hour will be reimbursed based on the following:
  • The work term provides continuous employment between 8 and 13.8 weeks.
  • A funding advance of up to 60% of the total approved rebate will be considered upon request.

Terms and Conditions

• The employer will pay the student at least the adult minimum wage of $7.15 per hour.
• The employer will pay 4% vacation pay.
• The employer is responsible for paying Employment Insurance, Canada Pension and accepts full responsibility for necessary Workers' Compensation coverage as defined by the Nova Scotia Labour Standards Code.
• The position must provide meaningful career-related work experience.
• The position must not displace any existing staff.
• The position must not be partially funded by any other employment assistance program.

Posting positions

The employer is responsible for posting positions, however the Office of Economic Development assists by publishing a job catalogue http://www.gov.ns.ca/econ/sep/scsdp/jobsindex.asp

Deadlines and eligibility criteria may vary from year to year -- please consult the department for the most up-to-date information.

For further information, please visit the Student Career Skills Development Program web site www.gov.ns.ca/econ/sep/scsdp or contact:

Nova Scotia Contact(s):
Student Employment Program
Nova Scotia Office of Economic Development
1660 Hollis Street, Suite 600
Halifax, Nova Scotia  B3J 1V7
Telephone: (902) 424-6000
Fax: (902) 424-0508
Toll-free (information): 1-800-424-5418
E-mail: sepinfo@gov.ns.ca
Web site: http://www.gov.ns.ca/econ/sep/