To assist Prince Edward Island graduates get the work experience they need to secure full-time jobs, Allan Campbell, Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, announced the creation of a new Public Internship Program for recent graduates of post-secondary education programs.
“Providing career development opportunities will give young Islanders a chance to gain valuable work experience related to their educational background and it will keep more Islanders working in PEI,” said Minister Campbell. “This program will also attract a new generation of young professionals into the public service and will help modernize and improve government services.”
Minister Campbell said the program will also assist people who may face obstacles entering the workforce to acquire meaningful employment experience.
“The Public Internship Program supports the values of workplace diversity and employment equity, and we encourage applications from people of Aboriginal ancestry, persons with a disability, members of a visible minority and women in non-traditional professions,” he said.
Interns will be given challenging work experiences in a variety of positions in provincial government departments. The duration of each internship is 52 weeks. During that time, interns will be matched with a mentor and will receive training and development opportunities that will give them the work experience they need to secure permanent jobs.
“This is an excellent opportunity for recent graduates to get experience working within government, to apply what they’ve learned to a work environment, and to work under the guidance of a mentor,” said the Minister. “Staff are looking forward to working with the interns and the new ideas and enthusiasm they will bring to the workplace.”
Minister Campbell said the program will also benefit PEI employers by providing career development opportunities for internship participants who may go on to seek employment in the private sector.
“Government is committed to developing a well-educated, skilled workforce in PEI to ensure our future prosperity,” said Minister Campbell.
Approximately 50 interns will be hired starting in November. To qualify for the program, applicants must have completed post-secondary education in a degree or diploma program within the last five years and be seeking a position relevant to their educational background.
The deadline for applications is September 18, 2009.
The Public Internship Program will be funded through the Canada-Prince Edward Island Labour Market Agreement.
For more information on the program, applicants can go to www.gov.pe.ca/intern.