Student Employment Placement (SEP)

The Student Employment Placement (SEP) program, offered by Stó:lō Aboriginal Skills & Employment Training (SASET), provides wage subsidies to employers to facilitate work experience and developmental learning opportunities for in-school Indigenous youth, aiming to prepare them for future entry into the labor market.

Stó:lō Aboriginal Skills & Employment Training (SASET

Overview of the Student Employment Placement (SEP) program:

The SEP program focuses on delivering practical work experience and developmental learning for Indigenous students aged 15 and above who are returning to full-time studies in the following academic year. By offering wage subsidies to eligible employers—including Aboriginal Bands, Tribal Councils, not-for-profit organizations with fewer than 100 employees, and for-profit businesses operational for at least one year with fewer than 100 employees—the program encourages the creation of employment opportunities that equip students with valuable skills and experience. The program duration is negotiable, typically spanning up to 8 weeks for secondary students and up to 13 weeks for post-secondary students. Eligible costs covered by the program include wages at minimum wage rates (with an additional $2.00 per hour for post-secondary students), mandatory employment-related costs such as Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Employment Insurance (EI), Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) rates, and 4% holiday pay based on actual hours worked. Employers may also receive support for safety gear and necessary safety certificate training.

Benefits of the Student Employment Placement (SEP) program:

For Students:
Gain practical work experience relevant to their field of study.
Develop essential workplace skills and competencies.
Enhance employability and readiness for future labor market entry.
For Employers:
Access to wage subsidies and coverage of employment-related costs.
Opportunity to mentor and develop future talent.
Contribute to the community by supporting Indigenous youth employment.

Eligibility criteria of the Student Employment Placement (SEP) program:

Eligible Employers:
Aboriginal Bands/Tribal Councils.
Not-for-profit organizations with fewer than 100 employees.
For-profit businesses with fewer than 100 employees, operational for at least one year.
Eligible Participants:
First Nations/Inuit individuals, status or non-status, residing on or off-reserve within the SASET catchment area.
At least 15 years old and returning to full-time studies in the next academic year.
Registered as full-time students during the previous academic year.
Possess a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of the program.
Have submitted all required Service Canada Personal Information Forms and Client Consent Forms before program commencement.