“This is the first year in which we have apprentices completing the Farm Technician program. Prince Edward Island is the first province in Canada to have provincial certification for its farm technician program and I am confident that we will soon see other provinces follow our example as the skilled graduates of this program make their contributions to the industry,” the minister said at the May 25 ceremonies.

“Across the province we are seeing young people entering apprenticeships and people who have spent a few years in the work force looking to apprenticeship as a way to develop their careers. These skilled, educated Islanders will help our economy continue to grow and I want to thank them as well as the many Island businesses that have supported them through their apprenticeships.”

Apprenticeships registrations have risen by 20 per cent in the last year, with some of the new journeymen expressing intentions of starting businesses in their trades.