Students across Prince Edward Island are gaining job skills, earning money and supporting their communities through the province’s Jobs for Youth Program, says Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Richard Brown.
“At the start of any young person’s career, it is always a challenge to gain experience that will show employers he or she can be a valuable employee. The Jobs for Youth Program gives young workers the chance to get real work-place skills while helping complete projects across Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Brown.
The Jobs for Youth Program, administered by Workforce and Advanced Learning, provides wage support to Island employers to create additional employment opportunities for Island students aged 16 to 29. This program is funded by the Government of Prince Edward Island and is administered by the Employment Development Agency.
This summer the Jobs for Youth Program, along with the Post-Secondary program offer by Skills PEI is supporting the employment of 407 students at more than 300 employers from the non-profit, public and private sectors in locations from North Cape to East Point. The budget for the two programs for the current year is approximately $1.5 million.
“This program allows government to provide support for a lot of valuable work right across the province. Employers are giving youth a chance to get involved and support important projects that may not have been possible without the help of our enthusiastic and capable young workers,” said the minister. (Profiles of two projects are attached.)
“I want to congratulate the employers who have been able to carry out projects through Jobs for Youth and to wish our student workers the best as they return to class in the next few weeks.”
The Jobs for Youth Program is offered annually through the Employment Development Agency. For more information on the Employment Development Agency and The Jobs for Youth Program visit http://www.gov.pe.ca/ial.
Profile - Hillsborough Area Watershed Co-op
Jobs for Youth students protecting water resources
Sensitive and valuable environments are being restored and protected this summer through the efforts of students hired under the Jobs for Youth Program.
The Hillsborough Area Watershed Co-op is employing workers from the Jobs for Youth Program in two areas; carrying out habitat improvements and restoration in the Pisquid watershed, and doing a mix of event management, public education and tree planting in Stratford.
“We’ll plant thousands of trees this summer, but a lot of the work is in other areas where students will get skills in community organization and in management,” says Kelly Arnold, watershed coordinator with the Stratford Area Watershed Improvement Group, part of the Hillsborough Area Watershed Co-op.
Arnold says the Hillsborough Area Watershed Co-op has employed Jobs for Youth students for several years and she finds they do some valuable work, but they also learn a lot about project management, environmental protection and community outreach. She says these skills are in demand at businesses and groups of all kinds.
Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Richard Brown said, “By allowing summer students to work with watershed groups we are giving them a hands-on investment in the Island environment as well as allowing them to develop job skills and knowledge that will support their further education and careers.”
Profile – The Guild
Jobs for Youth Students acting to support the arts
Four Island students are gaining work experience while supporting one of Charlottetown’s landmark arts venues, with support of the Jobs for Youth Program.
The Guild is not-for-profit cultural arts centre dedicated to the production, promotion and presentation of PEI cultural activities. Located in the heart of downtown Charlottetown, The Guild facilitates the creation of and showcases works including; theatrical, dance, music and visual arts through theatre, gallery, exhibition space and numerous office/studio space. The Guild’s mandate is to support Island artists with cost effective performance hall, gallery and theatre space.
Alanna Jankov, Executive Director of The Guild says the Jobs For Youth Program is important not only for the students but for the Guild as well. “The ongoing support of the Jobs for Youth Program has given The Guild an opportunity to work with and mentor PEI youth, and created an opportunity for students to gain a better understanding of art and culture”.
Summer employee Kristen Campbell said this venue has provided a great working and learning experience.
“I’m interested in the arts so this has been a job that really suits me. I’ve gotten to meet some inspiring people and see a lot of great work,” Campbell said.
Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Richard Brown said, “By supporting summer students to work in arts and culture we are giving them direct experience and helping develop knowledge and skills that will support their further education and careers.”