High school graduates welcomed for 21st edition

SUMMERSIDE – Jan. 12, 2024 – “Next summer, as always, RDÉE Prince Edward Island will be able to offer work placements from its PERCÉ internship program to 35 students from all over the Island. But this year, as we launch the 21rst edition of the program, we’ll accept postsecondary students as well as, for a first time, high school graduates who’ve just received their diplomas and who’ve been accepted into postsecondary institutions in the fall, ” says program coordinator Alecia Arsenault.

Arsenault said the program aims to repatriate young people who pursue their studies out of province. Survey after survey of former participants show that the program has convinced more than 80% of these young people to return to the Island to make a life and career for themselves.

As always, the program will offer its participants an average of 10 to 12 weeks of paid work with an employer working in their field of study here on the Island. Participants will be offered a series of training and orientation sessions on topics such as self-awareness, job readiness and exploring Island career opportunities; some of the sessions will be offered in person and others via video conference. Employers will receive a subsidy to help cover a portion of the students’ salaries.

A short promotional video was produced two years ago (in French) to further explain the program: https://youtu.be/BBnAC-PJS9w.

For more information or to apply, please visit www.percepe.ca. Any questions can be sent to perce@rdeeipe.org. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2024.

PRIORITY AREAS

Since its inception, the PERCÉ program has hosted more than 470 interns. In recent years, particular emphasis has been placed on hosting interns who are studying in priority or “essential” fields. Health, education and science are among the most popular sectors, but the RDÉE always welcomes participants from other fields as well. The trades are also gaining more and more importance.

Bilingualism (English/French) will be considered an asset. Once participants are selected, the coordinating team will assist in finding them an appropriate internship location. The intern will then be paid the same salary as an entry-level intern in this type of work.

Parents of high school graduates and of university and college students are encouraged to pass on the message that the program is looking for participants. 

In addition to getting the salary incentive, employers receive the services of an enthusiastic student who has acquired the latest practices in their industry and is willing to learn. "Employers who would like to host an intern are encouraged to fill out an interest form on our website and let us know if they already have a participant in mind who could fill the position. This would greatly increase their chances of being selected," concludes Arsenault.

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PHOTO: Alecia Arsenault, who coordinates the PERCÉ program for RDÉE PEI, recently launched the recruiting campaign for the 21st edition of the internship program. Interested students must sign up by March 31 for a summer internship.  

For more information, please contact

Alecia Arsenault
PERCÉ program coordinator
RDÉE Prince Edward Island
(902) 432-2026
perce@rdeeipe.org