Job & Training Funding
ECO Employment Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Browse FAQs Below on Full-Time or Student Job Funding
Employer Questions
Confirm your approved candidate by selecting your application in your SMApply account and completing the “New Employee’s Information” task accessible under “Your tasks.” If you do not see this task, ensure you have completed the “Organizational Signers” task and the “Authorization for Direct Deposit” task.
To complete your host report, log into your SMApply account and select “My Applications.” If your report is due within the next 7 days, you will see a task labelled “Report Due” on the application, along with a green “Start” button to begin the report.
If you do not see your application under “My Applications”, please ensure that you are viewing from your Organization Profile. You can toggle between your personal profile and organization profile by selecting your account name from the top left corner of the page, which
will drop down a menu with your Organization Profile. Select the relevant Organization Profile to see all applications submitted from the organization.
Your funding agreement will be emailed to the contact listed as the “Organizational Signer” on your application via DocuSign and is required to be returned to ECO Canada within 15 days. Direct Deposit information may be recorded directly on your approved application within SMApply, or emailed to our team at pathways@eco.ca. Your report deadlines are outlined in your funding agreement, and pay statements may be attached to your host report in an unlocked PDF format or emailed to our team at pathways@eco.ca.
We require the following to be visible on your pay statement:
- Organization Name
- Participant Name
- YTD Gross Salary
- YTD Employment Insurance
- YTD CPP Deduction
- Pay Period Start-End Date
- Hourly Rate of Pay
Please attach the most recent pay statement available at the time of your host report deadline. Our team will reach out if any additional documents are required.
Note: If you are not using an official payroll system with direct deposit, you are required to attach proof of payment (e.g., cashed cheque, E-transfer screenshot, etc.) for each pay period of the placement for verification.
Yes! As an approved host, you can purchase a posting on our job board. Each job posting can be tagged as “Internship” or “Co-op,” depending on which program you are participating in. You also have access to the resume database with an AI matching feature to help you find the right candidate for your position. We offer HR support services (recruitment resources, mentorship, organization policies, etc.) and custom-built packages to fit any organizational budget. Please contact info@eco.ca for more information.
Documents can be signed by the candidate’s supervisor, manager, or an HR representative from your organization.
If you need more than 30 days from your approval date to hire a candidate, please email pathways@eco.ca or your regional coordinator at least one week before your deadline. Note: Funding is limited, and extensions cannot always be accommodated.
Unfortunately, our current programs are only for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and residents with refugee status.
The limit for the number of positions you can hire for depends on which program you are applying for and when you are hiring. Please get in touch with your regional coordinator to learn more about your eligibility limits.
You must submit one application per opening, even if they are for the exact same position.
The candidate must be a new employee to the organization or have a new position with increased responsibilities within the organization.
This depends on the type of program you are applying for and what other funding you have received. Please reach out to your regional coordinator, at pathways@eco.ca, for more information.
No. The position must be a new, full-time permanent position.
Your reimbursement schedule depends on the number of reports required for your placement:
- Typically quarterly for full-time placements.
- Every 8 weeks for a Student Work Placement.
Refer to your funding agreement for report deadlines. You can expect reimbursement approximately 10-15 business days after both host and participant reports are submitted.
SMApply will automatically save the information you complete. Multiple people can collaborate and complete different parts of the report or application at different times.
Additional funding may be available after all placements are filled. Priority is given to placements supporting equity-deserving groups (e.g., Indigenous, racialized, remote/rural, newcomers, people with disabilities). If selected, you’ll receive an amended agreement and additional funding in your final reimbursement.
Participants submit their report through SMApply by selecting “My Applications” and clicking “Start” once their host report has been submitted. The participant report is only accessible after the host report is received.
Before signing anything, please notify ECO Canada at pathways@eco.ca to request the changes.
We can issue a cheque for the funding reimbursement. However, due to internal processes we can only issue one cheque which will be done at the end of the placement.
Participant Questions
This depends on the type of program you are applying for. This will be noted within the eligibility requirements of each program.
This depends on the type of program you are applying for. This will be noted within the eligibility requirements of each program.
Ask the employer to complete an Employer Application. Once they are approved, give them your approved Participant Application ID number so they can confirm you through SMApply.
If you were pre-approved and did not find a host, you may still be eligible. Sign into your account and check that your application is up to date.. If it is, and the program is still active, you’re still eligible.
If any information has changed, please email pathways@eco.ca with the changes. We will make the edits on your behalf and review your eligibility.
Co-op Student Questions
Yes, you are eligible. You don’t have to be enrolled in an official co-op program to be eligible for funding.
Candidates must not have graduated before the placement start date.
There are no age restrictions for this program.
No, students on a study permit are not eligible for our wage funding programs. You must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or hold refugee status.
Look on our job board for postings with the co-op tag.
You should also get in touch with the co-op coordinator at your post-secondary institution to as they will have more details on which employers are currently hiring.
Log in to your SMApply account, select “My Applications,” and click “Start” next to any task marked “Report Due.”
Note: If you don’t see the report, your host may not have submitted theirs yet. Contact pathways@eco.ca if needed.
Your employer will include your pay statements when submitting their host report.
