Date Posted

March 28, 2023

Rob Dombowsky, AMTA Industry Advisor

Alberta Motor Transport Association (AMTA) would like to introduce the Student Work Placement (SWP) subsidy to Alberta-based employers. This subsidy is targeted at both traditional trucking companies and those in other industries that have a trucking component to their operations. For example companies in the construction, manufacturing, agriculture and other industries employee commercial trucks.

Trucking HR Canada (THRC) is administering the grant program as part of their Career Expressway program. The program offers employers the opportunity to grow their workforce with new talent and receive up to $7,000 in wage subsidies for each student hired. This program works to increase the job readiness of post-secondary students and reduce the overhead costs of hiring and training new talent.

To participate, employers must hire students who are:

  • Canadian citizens;
  • permanent residents; or
  • persons who have been granted refugee status in Canada.
  • Students must be:

  • able to provide proof of part/full-time enrollment in a Canadian post-secondary institution; and
  • legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations.
  • Work placements under the SWP program must offer either full-time or part-time work opportunities for a minimum of four weeks up to a maximum of 16 weeks. Students must also work no less than ten hours per week.

    Importantly to qualify for this subsidy, students should work in a position that is either:

  • directly related to their program of study, and/or
  • directly fulfilling a trucking and/or logistics job function for the employer
  • For employers to be successful in their application it is important to show that they provide a safe and harassment-free work environment for participants. Additionally, employers will need to show that they follow the relevant employment legislation to their operations to receive reimbursement.

    AMTA and THRC are here to support employers, students and post-secondary partners every step of the way, by providing step-by-step guidance and support. THRC is now accepting new employers on a continuous basis until funding runs out.  To begin the application process, email theteam@truckinghr.com or visit this page to submit a contact request.

    To find out more about how you can take advantage of this program and others, contact us at wss@amta.ca or call 1-800-267-1003.

    Case Study 1

    ABC Trucking Co. employs ten people, including two office workers and the owner. The company hauls heavy equipment across the country for road and heavy construction projects. Work tends to peak in the summer and slows down in the winter. The owner decided to take advantage of the program to support the business during the busy period.

    She was able to find a third year accounting student from the University of Lethbridge’s Dhillon School of Business. The student was brought in to help process payroll, assist with both accounts receivable and payable as well and help with the phones and paperwork.

    After 16 weeks, the owner recognized the value that the student brought and offered the student a part-time position for the school year. Recently, the owner confirmed that the student will take on a full-time position with her company this summer after graduation.

    Case Study 2

    XYZ Haulers Ltd. was looking for an HR Coordinator to support the recruiting team. They took advantage of the SWP subsidy and found a third year student from the University of Alberta’s Human Resources program. Her duties included running background checks on candidates, creating candidate files, scheduling interviews, sending follow-up emails for candidates as well as setting up new hires in the HR and Safety System as well as in payroll.

    By hiring this student, the recruiting team was able to focus their attention on finding people, especially drivers. This allowed the recruiters to spend more time with their candidates which helped them to build stronger connections. The company was also able to fill more positions than anticipated. At the end of her 16-week work experience, she agreed to work part-time through the winter semester and plans to return full-time for the summer.