ECO Canada's

Employment Programs

Access wage subsidies, a pool of talent, and resources.

I'm an Employer

Access programs to transition into the environmental workforce.

I'm a Participant

A Proven Track Record

We are invested in the future of the Canadian environmental workforce; therefore, we are invested in every program’s success!

From making the initial connection between employers and talent to conducting in-person visits and supporting with customized training, we are focused on ensuring ECO Employment Programs support the growth of our country’s environmental workforce.

The value of these programs is founded in our commitment to championing the end-to-end careers of Canadian environmental workers. The benefits reach educators, students, new practitioners, environmental professionals, and employers across the country.

Employment Program Overview

Employer
Programs

Benefits

  • Increase work capacity
  • Access talented youth with new ideas & skills
  • Increase employee retention
  • Reduce staff training costs
  • Strengthen overall business operations
  • Support the growth of new qualified environmental workers
Choose a Program
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Since launching the program over 20 years ago, ECO Canada has:

Created
0
Jobs
Secured
$ 0 M+
in Funding
Supported
0
Employers
See More Employment Program Insights

What Host Employers
Say About Us​

Graeme Lee Rowlands
Director of Water and Climate
YNR Program Employer
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Your support is greatly appreciated. It makes a huge difference for our ability to contribute to Canada’s growing environmental sector and reach our organization’s goals!
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Jeremy Day
Company President
EJG Program Employer
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[We] has had an incredibly positive experience with this program, which has truly been a game-changer for our company and the customers we serve…. Thanks to the program’s financial assistance, we’ve been able to expand our operations, invest in cutting-edge technology, inventory, and create more job opportunities within our community.
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Julia Riley
Assistant Professor
YNR Program Employer
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ECO Canada’s Youth Employment in Natural Resources enabled us to hire young talent in the natural resources sector – something we would have been unable to do otherwise! The youth involved in the project developed their skillset in the field of wildlife biology and gained experience that will be beneficial for their future career… It was a great experience!
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Olivier Trescases
Founder
EJG Program Employer
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Without support from ECO Canada, [we] would not have the capacity to hire our candidate for the internship. He has made a positive contribution to the team. He has been closely mentored by senior engineers and has picked up a vast array of technical and soft-skills while working on rewarding projects.
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Claire Miller
VP of Operations
SHI Program Employer
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The team at Eco Canada has been very supportive during the application/onboarding process; responding to queries timely… The funding [we] received has allowed our small company to provide additional training. Training includes hands on mentoring with senior team members, shadowing environmental technicians on site, and paid training courses
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home how it works

How it Works

  • Once you have submitted your Employer Application through SMApply, please allow 10 business days to receive a status update from a regional coordinator.

  • If your application is approved, you will have 30 days from the time of pre-qualification to secure a candidate for the position.

  • After you have found a candidate, they will need to submit a Participant Application to be approved for the program.

  • Once you confirm that the candidate has successfully submitted their application, you will need to confirm them as your candidate directly in your SMApply application. We will then match your placement and send your contract within 10 business days of candidate confirmation.

Once the placement has been matched and the agreements have been sent out, please sign the agreements within 15 business days. Be sure to pay attention to the report due dates outlined in the agreement so that you can complete them on time.

If you already have a participant secured, please ensure that the candidate has completed the Participant Application and obtained their Participant Application ID Number to officially confirm them as your candidate.

Explore Programs
See More Employment Program Insights
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Participant
Programs

Benefits

  • Program provides initial work experience in participants field of study
  • Many secure permanent positions within the organization post program
  • Networking opportunities for establishing lasting connections with organizations beyond reach through exposure to diverse opportunities
  • Funding enables unique opportunities: conferences, external training
  • Participants gain invaluable learning experience
  • Acquire practical, real-world experience by applying learned skills and developing new ones
  • Overcoming financial challenges for participants and employers
  • Enhancing job prospects and positioning for future success
Explore Programs

What Participants
Say About Us

Environment Employability Pathway
Spencer Plovie

Program Participant

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Being able to be a core part of and complete larger projects has made a huge impact on my growth over time while working at [at my host employer]. Not only does this contribute to my soft skills but it also helps build on core programming skills like problem solving and critical thinking.
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Environment Employability Pathway
Sammy Al-Khalifa

Program Participant

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This program has been a great way to gain real life experience in consulting and has been especially beneficial in expanding my geospatial skillset. Furthermore, I have become much more adept at working on multiple projects at once and balancing deadlines.
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Science Horizons Youth Internship
Roxana Sorkhi

Program Participant

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This role has not only allowed me to apply my analytical skills in real-world transportation projects but also has fostered an environment that is conducive to continuous learning and development. I’ve had the chance to engage in intricate TDM projects.
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Youth in Natural Resources
Liam Janke

Program Participant

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I learned to work closely with indigenous communities, gaining insight into how the community engagement and communication with community liaisons works. It also provided me with the opportunity to advance my technical skills in renewable energy modelling.
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Student Work Placement (Co-Op)
Daniel Wedman

Program Participant

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I had the opportunity to develop my skills in the environmental sector by completing a large range of tasks for this company. This has allowed me to determine a career path for the future and find out what I enjoy. I think that my knowledge in the field has improved greatly with this work placement.
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How It Works

  • To get pre-qualified by a regional coordinator in one or more eligible programs, please submit a Participant Application. Allow 10 business days to receive an update from the regional coordinator.

  • Once pre-qualified, you will need to secure an employer who can submit an Employer Application for review. If you need assistance in finding an employer, you can indicate on your resume that you are pre-approved for funding. This serves as an added incentive for employers to hire you. Additionally, ECO Canada offers individual career services that can help you prepare for your job search.

  • If you have already secured an employer, please list their organization and contact information on your Participant Application. They will then be notified to submit an Employer Application on your behalf.

  • Once you confirm that the employer has successfully submitted the Employer  Application, they will need your approved Participant Application ID Number to proceed with confirming you as their candidate.

After your placement has been matched and agreements have been sent out, please sign the agreements within 15 business days. Also, take note of the report due dates specified in the agreement to ensure timely completion.

Find Your Program
participants how it works

Find Opportunities on Our Job Board

To increase your visibility for pre-qualified employers, upload your resume to our job board. ​

Upload Resume

Still Have Questions?

FAQs
Contact Us

About ECO Canada

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At ECO Canada, we act as 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 all environmental professionals.

We aim to promote and drive responsible, sustainable economic growth, while also ensuring that environmental best practices remain a priority. 

ECO Canada hosts a wide range of training & events.​

Eco Canada offers a range of professional events, workshops, conferences, webinars, and career fairs. These initiatives are dedicated to fostering the growth and development of our environmental community, facilitating valuable networking, skill-building, and career advancement opportunities for our members.

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Explore ECO Canada's Live Learning Options

Engage in interactive workshops, accessible virtually or in-person, and join webinars led by top experts in Canada, covering a range of subjects from career readiness to technical trends.

View Available Training
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ECO Canada Labour Market Research

With more than two decades of experience, ECO Canada has been extensively analyzing the environmental labor market to identify trends and opportunities within the sector.

Whether you’re a job seeker or a student, rely on our expertise to make informed decisions.

View Research
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Want to Stay Connected?

Get updates on employment programs, training sessions, events, and research initiatives.

Government Partners

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Land Acknowledgment

In the spirit of respect, reciprocity and truth, we honour and acknowledge Moh’kinsstis and the traditional Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3, within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. Finally, we recognize all Nations who live, work and play on this land and honour and celebrate this territory.