The PERCÉ program is providing paid internships to Island post-secondary students working in their field of studies in Prince Edward Island this summer thanks to support from the federal and provincial governments.

“The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is a proud supporter of PERCÉ, which introduces Island youth to career and employment opportunities in Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities (ACOA) and La Francophonie. “Our Government continues to help Atlantic Canada foster long-term prosperity by supporting projects such as this one that motivate young people to develop the skills required to be successful entrepreneurs.”

Students are gaining valuable work experience under the mentorship of experienced public and private sector managers through the program. They are also given the opportunity to develop professional networks in their field, which provides a great advantage when seeking permanent employment after their studies are complete.

“By providing Island youth with valuable connections and work experience, the PERCÉ program is a fantastic tool to increase the retention of our youth,” said Minister Campbell. “Strong linkages between youth and their community, and between students and employment encourage Island youth to return to their home province or stay on Prince Edward Island after graduation. The PERCÉ program has had great success in doing so.”

Initiated in 2004 as a pilot project by La Société de Développement de la Baie Acadienne (SDBA), in partnership with RDÉE Prince Edward Island, PERCÉ was designed to assist Island students enrolled in their last or second-last year of post-secondary studies – in and out of the province – to take part in 12-week paid internships in their area of study and interest.

PERCÉ was initially developed to assist Prince Edward Island’s Acadian and francophone students; over the years, the program expanded to include both francophone and anglophone students.

“We are extremely pleased to be able to offer this program for an eighth summer in a row and to do our part to encourage youth to return to PEI after their studies, to settle down in our province and to begin their career here,” said program coordinator Isabelle Cormier. “RDÉE Prince Edward Island, the provincial francophone economic development council, is proud to take on the role of program leader this year.”

The Department of Innovation and Technology funds the PERCÉ program through the Population Secretariat in cooperation with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and other partners.

For more information on these internships, please visit your province’s page online at www.percepe.ca.