In recruiting mode for the 22nd year of the program

CHARLOTTETOWN – Jan. 16, 2025 – RDÉE Prince Edward Island is in full recruiting mode for the 22nd edition of its popular PERCÉ summer internship program. New coordinator Natalia Saldarriaga invites all Grade 12 graduates who will be continuing their studies in the fall as well as all PEI postsecondary students to apply to the program by March 31.

“This summer, we will still be able to accommodate 35 students, from across the Island, in the program,” she explains. “We’ll be offering participants a series of training and orientation sessions on topics such as self-knowledge, job preparation and discovering Island career opportunities. Participants will also benefit from 10 to 12 weeks of salaried work experience with an Island employer in their field of study. This experience in their field will not only give them a taste of their future career but also a distinct advantage over their classmates when it comes to finding permanent employment after their studies.”

Employers will receive a subsidy to help cover a portion of the students’ salaries.

A few years ago, a short promotional video (in French only) was produced to explain the program more fully; it can be viewed at https://youtu.be/BBnAC-PJS9w.

For further information, or to apply, visit www.percepe.ca. Any questions can be sent to Saldarriaga at perce@rdeeipe.org.

PRIORITY SECTORS

Since its inception, the PERCÉ program has welcomed over 505 trainees. In recent years, particular emphasis has been placed on welcoming interns studying in priority sectors, or those considered “essential” for the province. Health, education and science are among the most popular sectors, but the program always welcomes participants from other fields too. Trades are becoming increasingly important too, as there are labour shortages in so many sectors on the Island.

Please note that bilingualism (French/English) will be considered an asset but is not mandatory. Once participants have been selected, the coordinators will help find them a suitable internship location. The trainee will then receive the salary normally paid to a beginner in this type of work.

Saldarriaga points out that the program is designed to encourage the repatriation of young people who are mostly studying off-Island. Regular surveys of former participants show that the program has convinced some 80% of these young people to return to the Island to make a life and career here for themselves. The RDÉE therefore invites the parents of graduates and university and college students to pass on the message that the program is looking for participants.

In addition to benefiting from a salary incentive, employers receive the services of an enthusiastic student who has acquired the latest practices in their industry and is ready to learn. “Employers who would like to host an intern are therefore 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 chosen,” concludes Saldarriaga.

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PHOTO: Former PERCÉ coordinator Alecia Arsenault, left, and new coordinator Natalia Saldarriaga proudly launch the 22nd edition of this RDÉE PEI internship program. Over 505 students have benefited from the program to date. Students must register by March 31 to participate next summer.

 

For further information, please contact

Natalia Saldarriaga
PERCÉ Program Coordinator
RDÉE Prince Edward Island
(250) 253-5794
perce@rdeeipe.org