During 20th edition of popular program
SUMMERSIDE – Dec. 15, 2022 – “Next summer, RDÉE Prince Edward Island will once again be able to offer work placements from its PERCÉ internship program to 35 postsecondary students from all over the Island,” says program coordinator Alecia Arsenault.
She enthusiastically launched the recruiting period for this 20th edition of the program during a RDÉE Christmastime gathering, with RDÉE PEI president Dr. Christian Lacroix by her side.
Arsenault feels PERCÉ has evolved considerably since its first year in 2002 when only 10 Island interns, who were studying outside the province, were accepted into the program. At that time, the RDÉE was crossing its fingers, hoping against hope that at least two or three of these young people would come back to settle permanently on the Island after their studies to make a life and career here. It was a great and pleasant surprise for everyone to realize a few years later that the program had succeeded in convincing about 80 percent of its participants to return. That number continues to hold, thereby meeting its goal of repatriating young Islanders.
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 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, 2023.
PRIORITY AREAS
Since its inception, the PERCÉ program has hosted more than 435 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 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: RDÉE Prince Edward Island’s president, Dr. Christian Lacroix, and coordinator Alecia Arsenault recently launched the PERCÉ program recruiting campaign for the summer of 2023. They will be able to welcome 35 students this summer.
For more information, please contact
Alecia Arsenault
PERCÉ program coordinator
RDÉE Prince Edward Island
(902) 432-2026
alecia@rdeeipe.org