Premier Wade MacLauchlan announced that a Liberal Government will continue to grow knowledge-based sectors such as bioscience, information and communications technologies (ICT), and aerospace.

“Prince Edward Island has experienced significant growth in recent years in these sectors, creating well-paid, year-round jobs for Islanders,” said the Premier. “We will build on this success and continue to support job creation and opportunities for new graduates looking to enter these growing industries.”

Premier MacLauchlan announced a Liberal Government will invest in the new UPEI Engineering School. A Liberal Government will support Prince Edward Island companies working with the university on research and development activities to bring new ideas to market that will create job opportunities for Islanders, including new graduates.

A Liberal Government will grow the extremely successful PEI Graduate Mentorship Program, providing financial assistance to companies as they hire new graduates and provide them with valuable mentorship opportunities. To date, 80 per cent of graduates taking part in this program have successfully received full-time employment in their field following mentorship. The PEI Labour Rebate Program, which supports the development of new products and services, will be extended, helping P.E.I. businesses to grow and create more job opportunities for Islanders.

Premier MacLauchlan announced a Liberal Government will add a new pillar to our knowledge-based industries by introducing incentives for Marine Technology manufacturers, making P.E.I. a preferred location for these companies. A Liberal Government will grow a cluster of high-tech companies that hire skilled Islanders and put Prince Edward Island on the map with a world-class Marine Technologies cluster.

• The PEI bioscience industry, from 2009 to 2014, has increased revenue to $124 million from $70 Million, a 77 per cent increase. Employment has increased to 1,200 from 750 over the same period
• P.E.I.‘s information and communication technologies sector has grown to now employ 1,850 individuals with salary levels more than 25 per cent higher than the average for our economy
• The Aerospace and Defense sector has grown to reach annual revenue of over $400 Million in 2014, providing over 900 jobs for Islanders

A Liberal Government, under the leadership of Wade MacLauchlan, will build on existing strengths, aggressively implement the above initiatives and create new jobs and opportunities for Islanders in Prince Edward Island’s rapidly expanding knowledge-based industries.

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