Last month the University of Calgary announced new funding available for different co-op and internship placements for external employers as part of the Student Work Placement Program (SWPP). According to Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) the program aims to provide post-secondary students across the country with the opportunity to have “paid work experience related to their field of study.” A UCalgary news article welcomed the funding, noting that it comes at a time when “both students and employers find themselves navigating challenging economic conditions.” These challenging conditions were brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic which is impacting the student population in Alberta and across Canada.