Liberals Propose New Access to Jobs for 2,000 Young Islanders

Two-thousand educated young Islanders will get a start in their chosen careers through an expansion of the Graduate Mentorship Program, says Liberal Leader Wade MacLauchlan.

“Helping young Islanders get a start in their chosen careers will help them to succeed here at home – and add to the growing prosperity of Prince Edward Island,” MacLauchlan said.

The Graduate Mentorship Program offers wage subsidy support of 50 per cent to employers to hire a recent post-secondary graduate in a job related to their field of study. This program provides valuable entry-level experience to Islanders, enabling them to build on their recent studies and gain valuable skills that will help them in the workforce.

Since 2013, the program has helped 1,200 young Islanders get a start on their careers. The Liberal Party is now proposing to expand that program – so another 2,000 Islanders will be eligible to participate between now and 2025.

“Education is one of the main reasons behind our increasingly diversified and growing job marketplace,” MacLauchlan said. “As the Island continues to set new employment records, programs like Graduate Mentorship will build new opportunities for young Islanders – and our entire province.”

Since 2015, 5000 full-time jobs have been added on Prince Edward Island. Last week, Statistics Canada reported that employment in March was the highest in provincial history for that month.

The Liberal Party has set an ambitious goal of increasing the number of jobs by another 3,500 over the next several years.

In support of that goal, the following initiatives will be launched:

• A $4.5 million PEI Workers Benefit will assist 12,600 working Islanders by providing incentives of up to $3 per hour on a portion of earnings. A single worker earning minimum wage could see an incentive of up to $1,600 – or $2,700 for a couple or family.
• A new Seasonal Industries Health and Benefits Plan pilot will create a province-wide health and benefits plan for many uninsured working Islanders in seasonal industries.
• New assistance for post-secondary students, to reduce tuition costs and help encourage more young Islanders to get university and college educations.

“We are building a stronger economy on a foundation of employment opportunities and choices,” MacLauchlan said. “Our proposals today will continue to help Islanders build a more prosperous future for themselves, their families and our provincial community.”

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Media Contact:
Mary Moszynski
media@liberalpei.ca
Phone: 902-393.8534
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