by Ethan Paquet
RDÉE PEI Inc. offers programs and services related to community economic development, employability, and entrepreneurship to PEI’s Francophone communities.
Since 2003, its PERCÉ internship program has helped hundreds of post-secondary students from all over the Island find summer employment in their field of study.
“Our goal is to keep Islanders living and working on PEI in jobs they are passionate about,” says Julie Gallant, Economic Development Officer, Youth Sector.
The program includes five days of training for all participants, including workshops on employability skills to better prepare students for the workplace.
As students prepare for a 12-week work placement, they develop a list of places they would like to work. “Over the years, we have built strong relationships with many Island employers, and we work very closely with students to find the right place that matches where they would like to work.”
“PERCÉ is beneficial to both students and the employers who hire them,” says Alecia Arsenault, Program Coordinator.
“Students get the chance to work in the summer job best suited for their field of study. They gain valuable work experience, and it helps them get their foot in the door and make connections.”
“Employers gain motivated workers who have knowledge in the field, and they have the possibility of obtaining a permanent bilingual employee after the student completes their post-secondary program.”
By hiring a PERCÉ student, employers receive a wage subsidy of $7 per hour for a maximum of 450 hours.
“If an employer has a post-secondary student in mind who they would like to work with, they can ask them to apply for our program. This program offers benefits such as training and work experience to the students, along with the wage subsidy to the employer.”
In 2023, the program will accept 35 students. Participants must meet the following criteria:
- Post-secondary students originally from PEI
- Applicants must be under the age of 30.
Students can be studying out-of-province as long as they are originally from the Island and are able to return to PEI for their summer work placement, Julie says.
“Anyone who is a post-secondary student originally from PEI is eligible for our program. Priority is given to bilingual students, but we do not exclude English-speaking students from taking part, so we encourage everyone to apply.”
She adds that employers are also welcome to sign up to indicate their interest in hosting a PERCÉ intern. They would be considered first if a student in their field of endeavour also signs up.
The application deadline for students is March 31, 2023. The PERCÉ coordinators review the applications and will contact the chosen participants in the beginning of April 2023.
For more information and to apply, visit www.percepe.ca
FOR MORE INFORMATION
about other programs and services offered by RDÉE PEI Inc., visit www.rdeeipe.net
