April 19, 2005 Wellington, Prince Edward Island In partnership with the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the Baie Acadienne Development Corporation (SBDA) and RDÉE Prince Edward Island will continue the Island-wide PERCÉ project, which in French stands for "Regional, Community and Economic Entrepreneurship Program". The program is designed to introduce Island Acadian and Francophone youth, currently studying outside the province, to the variety of career and employment opportunities available to them in their own province. Based on the success of the pilot project in 2004, ACOA is contributing $132,560 over the next two years for PERCÉ. "Opening doors for our youth to the many possibilities here in Prince Edward Island is vital if our economy is to continue to grow," said the Honourable Joe McGuire, Minister of ACOA. "I congratulate all participants and employers for making the pilot project such a success and I am pleased that ACOA will be enabling the PERCÉ program to continue over the next two years," Recruitment is now underway for 10 college or university students to participate this year. The program involves a week of orientation followed by 12 weeks of on-the-job, paid training and mentoring with an employer working in the students' field of studies. "The PERCÉ program's main mission is to reverse the "brain drain" trend and thereby bring our young people back to P.E.I.," said Janine Arsenault, development officer with RDÉE P.E.I. "Over the years, we have observed that countless students are leaving the province to pursue their studies and that a majority don't return here to start a career, simply because they may not necessarily know of the employment opportunities available to them." The eight post-secondary students who participated in the program last year rated the program highly, particularly the fact that the program had opened up all kinds of doors for potential future jobs for them in their field of studies. For example, one of last year's employers was so impressed with the work of the PERCÉ student that he offered to pay her last year of studies to encourage her to return to work for him once she graduates. Another participant who is studying sports marketing was able to meet Doug MacLean, president and general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets hockey team. He promised the student that he would help him get in touch with key people in the industry. Again this year, organizers will put emphasis on the establishment of industry contacts and on visits to locations that deal specifically with the field of studies of the students. Employers will also be encouraged to integrate their student-employee into their professional circles. As was the case last year, the employers, who must pay a portion of the participants' salaries, will be asked to devote time over the summer months to show the student the various facets of their field or industry. For more information, contact Janine Arsenault at RDÉE Prince Edward Island (902) 854-3439, Ext. 232, or janine.arsenault@rdee.ca. -30- For more information, please contact: Ron Crozier Office of the Minister of ACOA (902) 888-4150 Janine Arsenault RDÉE Prince Edward Island (902) 854-3439, Ext. 232, or janine.arsenault@rdee.ca Lynn MacDonald ACOA PEI and Tourism (902) 566-7491
