Applications for the Community Internship Program are now open, says Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Allan Campbell.

The program offers six-month internships with Island non-profit organizations. Applicants must be eligible for Employment Insurance and must have graduated with a university degree or a two-year college diploma from an accredited post-secondary institution before June 30, 2010 and within the past 5 years. Applicants cannot have been previously employed through a Community Internship Program or Public Internship Program.

“This is an excellent opportunity for recent post-secondary graduates to gain work experience and begin building their careers,” said Minister Campbell. “We’ve had a lot of interest from organizations looking to employ recent graduates, and need more applicants to fill the great jobs that will be available.”

The Employ PEI Community Internship Program is a wage subsidy program that allows community organizations to create innovative employment and training opportunities for recent post-secondary graduates. The program will begin on June 1, 2011.

“Government is working to foster a strong Island workforce, and this program will help a new generation of educated young people enter the job market,” said Minister Campbell.

The Community Internship Program is provided through the Canada-Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement and will be delivered by the SkillsPEI division of the Department of Innovation and Advanced Learning.

The closing date for individual applications is April 1, 2011. For more information and application forms, visit the “Community Internship” page on www.skillspei.com