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Employer Questions
To confirm your approved candidate, please log into your SMApply account and select the approved application. Complete the “New Employee’s Information” task, which can be found under “Your Tasks.” If you do not see this task listed, make sure you have completed both 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 “Report Due” on the application along with a green “Start” button to begin the report.
If you cannot find your application under “My Applications,” please make sure you are viewing it from your Organization Profile. You can switch between your personal and organizational profiles by clicking on your account name in the top left corner of the page. This will open a drop-down menu where you can select your Organization Profile. Choose the relevant Organization Profile to view all applications submitted by that organization.
Your funding agreement will be sent via email to the contact listed as the “Organizational Signer” on your application through DocuSign. It must be returned to ECO Canada within 15 days. You can record your Direct Deposit information directly on your approved application within SMApply or email it to our team at pathways@eco.ca. The deadlines for your reports are specified in your funding agreement. Pay statements can be attached to your host report as an unlocked PDF or emailed to our team at pathways@eco.ca.
- 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, and 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 must attach proof of payment (e.g., cashed cheque, e-transfer screenshot, etc.) for each pay period of your placement for verification.
As an approved host, you have the opportunity to purchase a job posting on our job board. You can designate each job posting as either an “Internship” or a “Co-op,” depending on which program you are participating in. Additionally, you will have access to our resume database, which features an AI matching tool to help you find the right candidate for your position more easily.
We also provide HR support services, including recruitment resources, mentorship, and organizational policies. Custom-built packages are available to suit any organizational budget. For more information, please contact info@eco.ca.
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 inform our team at least one week before your deadline. You can do this by emailing pathways@eco.ca or contacting your regional coordinator directly. Please be aware that funding is limited, and due to a high volume of applicants, we may not always be able to accommodate extension requests.
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 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 scheduled during your placement. Typically, reports are submitted quarterly in full-time placements and every 8 weeks in Student Work Placements. Please check your funding agreement for specific report deadlines. You can expect to receive your reimbursement approximately 10 to 15 business days after both the host and participant reports have been submitted.
SMApply will automatically save the information you have entered in your report, allowing multiple people to collaborate on completing the report or application at different times.
We will review the remaining funding once all placements have been finalized and determine the best way to allocate any additional funds. These decisions will be based on eligibility criteria for equity-deserving groups, including Indigenous youth, racialized youth, individuals from rural or remote areas, newcomers, and people with disabilities.
If your placement is selected for additional funding beyond your original commitment amount, you will receive an amended contract along with an additional payment with your final reimbursement.
All program participants must submit their reports through their SMApply accounts. To do this, they need to log in, select “My Applications,” and then click “Start” on the application to complete their report.
Please note that participants will not have access to their reports until the host’s report has been submitted. Host employers must complete their reports before the deadline to ensure that participants can submit their reports on time.
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.
We'll Help Cover 80% of Wages up to $25k & Training
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.
Please instruct the employer interested in hiring you to complete an employer application. Once they receive approval, you will need to provide them with your approved Application ID Number. They can confirm your status as their participant by completing the “New Employee’s Information” section within their SMApply account.
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.
Over three years, 65.58% of participants were employed with their host post-placement, a testament to the program’s role in fostering lasting connections.
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.
Once you log in to your SMApply account and select “My Applications,” you will see a status of “Report Due” on your application. You can then click the green “Start” button to begin your report.
If your report deadline is approaching and you do not have access to your report, please check with your employer to ensure they have submitted their host report. The participant report will not be available until the host report is complete. If the host report is complete and you still cannot access your participant report, please contact our team at pathways@eco.ca.
Your employer will provide your pay statements when they submit their host report.
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