Ontario has more student jobs than any other province, but they do not all open at once. University co-op terms, high school placements, summer retail roles and public service internships each run on their own calendar. If you know when each cycle opens, you can apply on time instead of finding out after the postings close.
Quick takeaways
- University co-op hiring in Ontario runs in cycles, usually tied to four-month work terms starting in January, May and September.
- High school students can earn Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) credits through cooperative education placements arranged by their school.
- Ontario sets a separate student minimum wage for eligible students under 18. It is reviewed every October 1, so check the current rate before you accept an offer.
- Large employers such as Loblaws and Tim Hortons hire students in seasonal waves, and the Ontario Public Service runs its own student and internship intakes.
- YouthAtWork.ca connects young job seekers with employers who want to hire them, and gives employers a direct way to reach students and recent graduates.
What YouthAtWork.ca Does and Who It Is For
YouthAtWork.ca is a Canada-focused job board for youth and young adults looking for first jobs, co-op placements, summer work and early career roles. It serves two groups: young people looking for work, and the employers who want to hire them.
For students and young job seekers
If you are a high school student looking for your first part-time job, a college student who needs a field placement, or a university student between co-op terms, you need postings that are written with you in mind. Plenty of general job boards bury entry-level roles under listings that ask for five years of experience. YouthAtWork.ca puts first jobs and early career openings up front, so you spend less time filtering out roles you cannot apply for. You can browse openings and set up a profile through YouthAtWork.ca for job seekers.
For Ontario employers
Hiring managers in retail, food service, logistics, offices and the public sector all compete for the same pool of students each spring and fall. Posting on a youth-focused board puts your role in front of candidates who are actively looking for exactly that kind of work. Employers can review pricing and post roles through YouthAtWork.ca for employers.
Why a dedicated youth board helps both sides
When everyone on a job board shares the same goal, the matches tend to fit better. Students see roles that suit their schedules and experience. Employers get applicants who want part-time, seasonal or co-op work, rather than people who applied to everything and will leave for a full-time offer.
University Co-op Cycles in Ontario
Ontario's universities run some of the largest co-op programs in Canada. Each school has its own system, but most follow a similar pattern: students alternate study terms with paid work terms, and employers recruit several months before each term starts.
University of Waterloo
Waterloo's co-op program is built around four-month work terms that start in January, May and September. Students apply through the university's WaterlooWorks platform, and recruiting for a given term usually begins well before the previous term ends. If you are a Waterloo student, plan your applications around the posting rounds, not your start date. Employers hiring Waterloo co-op students should expect to post early and interview on a set schedule.
University of Toronto
The University of Toronto offers co-op in several forms. The Professional Experience Year (PEY Co-op) program places eligible Engineering and Arts and Science students in work terms of 12 to 16 months, usually after third year. The Scarborough and Mississauga campuses run their own co-op programs with shorter terms. Because of the downtown location, many U of T placements are in Toronto finance, technology, health care and government offices, which makes U of T a key source of student jobs in Toronto.
McMaster University
McMaster offers co-op and internship options across faculties including Engineering, Business and Science. Engineering students can choose between shorter work terms and longer 12 to 16 month placements. Hamilton's mix of health care, advanced manufacturing and research institutions gives McMaster students local options, though many also take placements in the Greater Toronto Area.
Western University
Western runs internship programs in faculties such as Engineering and Science, typically with 12 to 16 month placements between third and fourth year. Students at Western and its affiliated programs often look for roles in London and across southwestern Ontario, as well as in Toronto. If you are an employer looking for interns who can stay for a full year, these longer placements are worth knowing about.
High School Students: OSSD Co-op and First Jobs
You do not have to wait until university to get work experience. Ontario high schools offer structured programs that combine classroom learning with real workplaces.
Cooperative education credits
Ontario high school students can earn credits toward their OSSD through cooperative education. The school arranges a placement with a local employer, and the student works there as part of their timetable. Co-op placements cover a wide range of fields, from auto service and child care to offices and retail. Talk to your guidance counsellor or co-op teacher about which placements are available at your school and how many credits you can earn.
OYAP and Specialist High Skills Major
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) lets students start training in a skilled trade while still in high school, usually through co-op placements. The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) lets students focus their courses on a sector such as health and wellness, construction, or information and communications technology. Both programs help students build a resume and make contacts in a field before graduation.
Common first jobs for high school students
Outside of school programs, typical first jobs include cashier, food service crew member, grocery clerk, camp counsellor, lifeguard, recreation assistant and retail sales associate. These roles teach customer service, reliability and teamwork, which later employers notice. Minimum age rules vary by type of workplace in Ontario, so check that a role matches your age before you apply.
Ontario Student Minimum Wage: What to Know
Students and employers both need to understand Ontario's student minimum wage, because it affects pay, scheduling and offers.
Who the student rate applies to
Ontario's student minimum wage applies to students under 18 who work 28 hours a week or less while school is in session, or who work during a school break or summer holidays. Students who do not meet these conditions are entitled to the general minimum wage. The student rate is lower than the general rate.
How rates change
Ontario reviews its minimum wage rates every year, and new rates take effect on October 1. Because the figures change annually, check the Government of Ontario's current minimum wage page instead of relying on a number from a past posting or a friend's old job. Employers should update their payroll every October.
Practical tips for students
Keep track of your weekly hours, especially if you work more than one job during the school year. Ask your employer to confirm your hourly rate in writing when you accept an offer. If something about your pay looks wrong, the Ontario Ministry of Labour publishes plain-language information on employment standards that you can review.
Major Hiring Waves: Loblaws, Tim Hortons and the Ontario Public Service
Some of the biggest sources of student jobs in Ontario hire on predictable seasonal patterns. Applying ahead of these waves gives you the best chance.
Loblaws and grocery retail
Loblaw Companies operates many grocery and pharmacy banners across Ontario, and stores often hire students for cashier, stocking, produce and pharmacy assistant roles. Hiring tends to pick up before the summer and ahead of the holiday season, when stores need more staff. Students who show flexible availability, including evenings and weekends, are often the strongest candidates.
Tim Hortons and quick-service restaurants
Tim Hortons restaurants are mostly run by independent franchise owners, so hiring happens store by store rather than through one central program. Many locations hire students for front counter, drive-through and baker roles throughout the year, with extra demand in spring and summer. Applying in person or online to several nearby locations at once is a common approach.
Ontario Public Service student programs
The Ontario Public Service hires students and recent graduates through structured programs, including the Ontario Public Service Internship Program (OPSIP) and summer student streams such as the Summer Experience Program. These roles can be in policy, communications, IT, finance, field work and program delivery. Program names, eligibility and intake windows change from year to year, so check the Ontario Public Service careers site for current details and apply early.
Toronto and other Ontario hubs
Toronto has the highest concentration of student jobs in Ontario, especially in finance, technology, hospitality and retail. Ottawa has many federal and provincial public service roles. Waterloo Region, Hamilton and London have strong demand from technology, health care and manufacturing. If you are flexible on location, searching across several cities widens your options, and the same approach works for student jobs anywhere in Canada.
For Employers: Hiring Students in Ontario
Employers who plan around the student calendar fill roles faster and keep good hires longer.
Time your postings to the cycles
Post co-op roles several months before the term starts, and coordinate with each school's co-op office. For summer roles, start recruiting in late winter or early spring, before students accept other offers. For school-year part-time roles, post in August and early September, when students are setting their schedules.
Use available programs
Several government programs support student hiring. The federal Canada Summer Jobs program offers wage subsidies to eligible employers who create summer jobs for young people. The federal Student Work Placement Program supports work-integrated learning placements for post-secondary students. Eligibility and funding rules change, so review the current program details before you apply.
Write postings students will answer
State the hours, schedule flexibility, pay and start date clearly. List the skills you will teach, not just the skills you want. Be honest about whether the role is seasonal, part-time or a co-op term. A clear, specific posting attracts applicants who fit the role and reduces turnover.
Reach candidates where they search
Campus co-op portals reach students in specific programs, but many students also search general and youth-focused boards. Posting on YouthAtWork.ca for employers puts your opening in front of young Canadians actively looking for first jobs, co-op placements and early career roles.
FAQ
When should I start applying for summer student jobs in Ontario?
Start in late winter or early spring. Many large employers and public service programs open applications months before summer begins, and the best roles fill early.
Can high school students earn credits for working?
Yes. Ontario high school students can earn OSSD credits through cooperative education placements arranged by their school. Ask your guidance counsellor about available placements.
Does the student minimum wage apply to me?
It applies to students under 18 who work 28 hours a week or less during the school year, or who work during school breaks or summer holidays. Check the Government of Ontario's website for the current rate, which is reviewed every October 1.
How do university co-op jobs differ from regular student jobs?
Co-op jobs are tied to your academic program, run for set terms, and are usually posted through your school's co-op portal. Regular student jobs are open to anyone and can be part-time, seasonal or ongoing.
Are there student jobs in Toronto for students outside co-op programs?
Yes. Retail, food service, hospitality, recreation and office support roles in Toronto hire students who are not enrolled in co-op. Youth-focused job boards make these roles easier to find.
How can employers find students who want co-op or summer work?
Work with campus co-op offices for program-specific placements, and post on youth-focused job boards to reach a wider pool of students and recent graduates.
Start Your Search or Your Hiring Today
Ontario's student job market rewards people who plan ahead, whether you are applying for your first co-op term or filling a summer crew. Whether you are hiring or job hunting, YouthAtWork.ca serves both sides of the market. Employers can review pricing and post a role at YouthAtWork.ca for employers. Job seekers can browse openings and create a profile at YouthAtWork.ca for job seekers.