SUMMERSIDE – June 5, 2024 – Last weekend, the 2024 PERCÉ interns took part in two full days of training to prepare themselves for their 10-12 weeks of paid work in a job related to their field of study.
These young adults from all over the Island, who are already in post-secondary programs or who will be starting their studies in September, took full advantage of the training offered, participating actively in the sessions and asking lots of questions.
To facilitate the training, participants were divided into two groups: Francophones and Anglophones.
The francophones spent their Saturday in Summerside learning first aid from trainer Ghislaine Guérette from Dodalie Médical of Grand Falls, NB. They had ample opportunity to practice their new skills and get certified.
On Sunday, they travelled to Charlottetown to take part in three sessions:
• an Insights Explore workshop (on self-awareness and communication with others) with trainer Donald DesRoches;
• an information session on résumés, job interviews and tips for new employees with Raymond J. Arsenault, manager of the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI;
• a workshop on sexual harassment in the workplace with Jacinthe Lemire of Solutions eurêka experts-conseils, who is certified to deliver this training through the national “Bienveillance au travail” program.
The English-speaking group received the same training at the same locations, but in reverse order. In addition, Sarah Denman-Wood, manager of the PEI Human Rights Commission’s SHIFT: Changing Workplace Culture project, delivered the sexual harassment training.
Participants will receive a third, mid-program training day in July.
Now in its 21st year, the PERCÉ program continues to be delivered by RDÉE Prince Edward Island. The program’s goal is to give young Islanders the opportunity to gain work experience directly in their field of study here on the Island, in the hope of convincing them to return here one day to make a life and career for themselves on the Island. The program has been a phenomenal success, convincing over 80% of its participants to settle permanently on the Island. PERCÉ is offered to 35 young people every summer, thanks to funding from the Atlantic Canada Development Agency and the provincial Department of Economic Development, Innovation and Trade.
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PHOTO 1: PERCÉ trainees enjoyed an information and learning session on sexual harassment in the workplace. For the English-speaking group, the trainer was Sarah Denman-Wood, while for the French-speaking group, it was Jacinthe Lemire. Shown here during the English session are Abby Chapman, trainer Sarah Denman-Wood, Victoria Gibbs and Sarah Scantlebury.
PHOTO 2: Abby Green, left, and Alex Murphy practice their new first-aid skills, learned from trainer Ghislaine Guérette.
PHOTO 3: Raymond J. Arsenault, manager of the Acadian and Francophone Chamber of Commerce of PEI, delivered a workshop on resumes, job interviews and general workplace tips. He is pictured with two of the participants, Indra Johnson, left, and Ines Belkouri.
PHOTO 4: Consultant Donald DesRoches, center, offered Insights Explore training to the PERCÉ trainees, including Mea Arsenault and Hayden Cotton.