The Jobs for Youth program is administered by the provincial Employment Development Agency. Each year, the program works with the public, private and non-profit sectors to provide summer employment to about 350 Island students.

The new program will be available to students who have been accepted into a post secondary program for the fall of 2005 or to students who are currently enrolled in a post secondary institution.

“We are aware that one of our greatest challenges is keeping our young people here in the province,” said Development and Technology Minister Mike Currie. “By offering them meaningful job experiences for the summer, we hope we can show them that there are a lot of great opportunities, right here at home.”

The new program will target 100 post-secondary students and will offer 8 - 12 weeks of career-related employment. Staff will work with the students to determine their employment needs and career path.

“Many students are looking for summer work which will give them experience in their chosen field,” said Minister Currie. “This province has a great deal to offer in fields such as information technology and aerospace, and students should be exposed to those possibilities.”

The new program will use funds which are in the existing Jobs for Youth budget.

Students who are interested in the program should be registered with the Central Jobs Registry. Applications are available on line at www.gov.pe.ca or at Access PEI sites. More information is available at 368-5908.