A new campaign designed to encourage young people to consider careers in the trades and health care sector was officially launched today in Charlottetown. The Honourable Jane Stewart, Minister of Human Resources Development, and the Honourable Mildred Dover, Minister of Education, today announced funding of $467,652 under the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement to support the Career Know How initiative, during a Career Know How presentation to more than 150 youth at Colonel Gray High School in Charlottetown.
The theme of the campaign, "It's Not What You Think, It's What You Know," will help raise awareness of potential shortages in trade and health occupations among Island youth and others making career changes.
"Industry and government groups have identified the need to promote to all Islanders, particularly Island youth, occupations expected to face skills shortages and good employment potential," said Minister Stewart. "This campaign focuses not only on careers in the skilled trades and health care, but stresses the importance of making an informed career choice."
The Career Know How campaign, which profiles young Islanders working in various trade and health care fields, consists of radio, television and newspaper advertising, interactive community and school presentations, and a Web site and toll-free info line.
According to Education Minister Mildred Dover, career-related decisions students make in high school can have a great impact on their future. "The campaign provides us with great opportunities to increase public awareness of the many excellent career choices now open to Island students, and to encourage interest in areas where PEI has immediate needs," said Minister Dover.
The campaign targets 5 skilled trade and 10 health care occupations that are expected to have skill shortages and good employment potential.
The campaign provides information about required education and skills, expected rates of pay, job responsibilities and potential work environments. Information on the Web site is supported by a toll-free information line, answered by representatives that can help callers get additional details on related occupations and learning institutions.
Community presentations that will take place in Charlottetown, Summerside, Montague, Tignish, Souris and Wellington are open to those looking for work, changing careers or interested in a career in the health care sector or skilled trades. Individuals are asked to register in advance for the free sessions by calling the Career Know How line.
More information about the presentations and trade and health care occupations is available at, or through the Career Know How line at 1 800 550-4966.
The project is funded by the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, co-managed by Human Resources Development Canada and the provincial Department of Development and Technology.
For more information on the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, visit www.lmda.pe.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Career Know How Initiative
The Career Know How campaign is designed to encourage Islanders, particularly Island youth, to consider careers in the skilled trades and in health-two areas that are expected to face skill shortages and provide employment opportunities on Prince Edward Island.
The promotional campaign, which profiles young Islanders working in various trade and health care fields, consists of radio, television and newspaper advertising, interactive community and school presentations, and a Web site and toll-free info line.
The theme of the campaign, "It's Not What You Think, It's What You Know," will help raise awareness of these potential shortages and provides information about required education and skills, expected rates of pay, job responsibilities and potential work environments. The information on the Web site is supported by a toll-free information line, answered by representatives that can help callers get additional details on related occupations and learning institutions.
The campaign targets 15 specific jobs:
* pharmacist
* social worker
* registered nurse
* medical lab technologist
* speech language pathologist
* plumber
* industrial electrician
* construction electrician
* carpenter
* welder
* cook
* machinist
* metal fabricators
* heavy duty equipment technician
* automotive service technician
Career Know How Presentations
The Career Know How team has worked with high school officials from across the province to offer presentations to more than 5,000 Island high school students.
Community presentations get under way November 17 in Charlottetown. Presentations will also be held in Summerside, Montague, Tignish, Souris and Wellington. The free presentations are open to those looking for work, changing careers or interested in a health care or trade career. Individuals are asked to register in advance for the sessions through the Career Know How line.
Nov. 17, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., at Charlottetown Hotel, 75 Kent Street
Nov. 18, 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., 425 Granville Street, Summerside
Nov. 19, 7 p.m., 103 School Street, Tignish
Nov. 20, 3 p.m., Main Street Plaza, Souris
Nov. 21, 2 p.m., 239 Valleyfield Road, Montague
Dec. 4, 2 p.m., La Société éducative de l'Î.-P.-É, 48 Mill Road, Wellington
Funding
Industry groups and governments have identified the need to promote to all Islanders, particularly Island youth, occupations with skill shortages and good employment potential. As a result, the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, co-managed by Human Resources Development Canada and the provincial Department of Development and Technology, has invested $467,652 to support the Career Know How initiative, which promotes skilled trades and health careers to Islanders.
Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement
The Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA) is a co-managed agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Prince Edward Island.
Under the agreement, Human Resources Development Canada (HRDC) and the provincial Departments of Development and Technology, Education, and Health and Social Services design and manage labour market development programs and services in Prince Edward Island.
These programs and services are funded by the Government of Canada and delivered by HRDC through local Human Resource Centres.
For more information on the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, visit www.lmda.pe.ca.