A $1.2 million internship program designed to strengthen the information technology labour force was announced today in Charlottetown. This program will create 84 work experience opportunities in Prince Edward Island's growing Information Technology (IT) sector.
The IT Internship Program, a component of the IT Workforce Development Strategy, is the result of a partnership between the Information Technologies Association of PEI (ITAP), federal and provincial governments and private sector organizations.
"The IT Internship Program will provide IT graduates with practical work experience and a strong foundation in the IT sector," said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Solicitor General of Canada, representing Human Resources Development Canada. "This internship program is an excellent example of how partnerships between federal and provincial governments, industry associations and private sector organizations can truly make a difference in developing the workforce here on Prince Edward Island."
People participating in the program will receive valuable work experience and exposure to the IT industry. The objective of this internship program is for participants to achieve on-going employment in the IT sector.
"The key to making the IT sector work is to provide training and opportunities, especially for young people," said Development and Technology Minister Mike Currie." This program will give people the chance to become involved in the industry. It will also give the industry a chance to grow and to take advantage of new opportunities."
Through its recent Bridging the GAP campaign, ITAP identified twenty-six member companies that were willing to create up to 84 internship positions. These intern positions include quality professional development opportunities for web programmers, software designers, technical consultants and others in the IT sector.
"ITAP has been aggressively striving towards the implementation of an IT Workforce Development Strategy that encompasses four critical elements: Internship, HR Planning and Support, Professional Development and Educator Awareness. Industry's investment in this IT Internship Project, which is the first phase of the IT Workforce Development Strategy, is an estimated $1.3 million. ITAP hopes that today's announcement will be the first of many to come and confirms the commitment of the private and public sector to recruit, develop and retain the many talented graduates of PEI's IT education programs," states ITAP President Mike Ives.
The program will be administered by Prince Edward Island Business Development Project Officers, located at Access PEI sites across the province, through the Small Business Employee Support Program.
Funding for the program will come from the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement (LMDA), a federal/provincial agreement co-managed by Human Resources Development Canada and the Provincial Department of Development & Technology. The LMDA provides opportunities for unemployed people, with an emphasis on sectors considered key to the province's economic development. Individuals who apply for these intern positions must meet particular eligibility requirements.