APPLICATION DEADLINE is February 19, 2026
Description
It is recommended that employers read the Program Guidelines prior to completing an application for this program.
The Summer Employment Program for Students (SEPS) provides funding to assist private sector businesses and not‐for‐profit organizations create summer employment for students (post-secondary or high school). Through this program, students benefit by gaining valuable work experience that will facilitate future labour market participation.
Eligibility
Eligibility Criteria – Students
- Must be entering or returning to post-secondary training in the upcoming academic year or must be currently enrolled in high school – Level I, II or III or moving from the intermediate level (Gr. 9) to Level I in September 2026 and;
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
- Not be an immediate family member of the employer as defined in the Terms and Conditions.
- Students must apply directly to the employer.
Eligibility Criteria – Employers
- Private Sector employers (incorporated or sole proprietorship).
- Not-for-profit organizations, school districts and municipalities.
- Be in good standing with Company and Deeds Online (CADO), if incorporated.
- Have a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number.
- Have an office location or base in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Eligible Funding
- Private Sector employers are eligible to receive a maximum subsidy of $4,032 per each full-time equivalent approval.
- Not-for-Profit are eligible to receive a maximum subsidy of $7,800 per each full-time equivalent approval. This includes wages and mandatory employment related costs (MERC).
- Employers have flexibility on the number of students hired, hours, and weeks with each approval. Labour standards must be maintained in any arrangement.
All student employment must end on or before Monday, September 7, 2026.
Deadline to Apply
- Thursday, February 19, 2026.
- Assessment of applications will begin after the deadline.
- Incomplete applications will result in delays.
Application Process
- Prior to submitting an application, employers are asked to ensure banking information has not changed since registering in LaMPSS. If your information has changed, please update by completing this supplier form.
- If you are an employer applying for multiple geographically separate locations throughout the province, a separate application must be completed for these areas (e.g., if you have a location in Corner Brook and Clareville, or multiple locations in the St John’s area), then separate applications should be submitted.
How do I apply?
STEP 1: Register as a Government Vendor and Receive LaMPSS User ID (Please go to Step 2 if you have an active LaMPSS User ID and Password)
All employers are required to be set-up as a government vendor so payment can be issued. Vendor set-up and LaMPSS registration are initiated once you register here: Employer Registration.
After registering, a LaMPSS user ID and password, if you do not have one already, will be emailed to the address provided on your application. Please ensure you check your email, including junk mail, regularly. You can then log into the LaMPSS system and complete your online application.
If you have forgotten your password, please reset it in LaMPSS by clicking on Forgot Password. Enter Organization ID and User ID. Click submit and a new password will be emailed to you. If your password cannot be reset, please contact our Support Team by email at extorghelp@gov.nl.ca during government business hours or call 1-844-252-6777.
STEP 2: Submit Application
Employers must complete and submit an Online Application in LaMPSS.
Employers are required to review the Program Guidelines and adhere to the Terms and Conditions prior to submission of their application for funding.
Following the submission of their application, employers:
- Can check the progress of their application by logging into their LaMPSS account and viewing the agreement status; and
- Are notified of the decision by telephone and email.
Official approval is considered once the approval letter is received by the employer. This approval letter outlines the total amount of subsidy approved regardless of what is requested at time of application.
Employers have 14 days from when approval is granted to provide the name of the student(s) to be hired and submit a Student Contact and Consent form for each.
Decision-Making Process
Applications
Once the application deadline is past and a complete application is received by the Department, it will be assigned for assessment.
Assessment
Assessment begins after the application deadline. The application is reviewed by the Department to ensure eligibility criteria are met. Applications may be prioritized for funding based on various factors such as demand, economic growth in certain sectors and budget availability. Recommendations are made to the approver.
Approval
The delegated authority reviews assessment and ensures all information to make final decision is on file. Applicant will be notified once approval has been granted or denied.
Contact Information
Call: 1-800-563-6600
Email: EmploymentPrograms@gov.nl.ca