Aiding Island apprentices

Pilot program to assist Island apprentices with training

Prince Edward Island is introducing a one-year pilot program, the first of its kind in Canada, to assist Island apprentices who have begun the in-school training process, but have not been able to obtain or maintain an employer connection.

“In an effort to assist Islanders seeking work in their chosen trade, we have been working to eliminate a program barrier which will allow us to train apprentices in Prince Edward Island, regardless of an employer attachment,” said Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Richard Brown in a recent news release.

The program, effective immediately, will allow registered apprentices in any province to enrol in one block of in-school training offered through the P.E.I. Apprenticeship Section, without needing an employer connection.

“This flexibility will provide apprentices with the opportunity to increase their training and become more attractive to Island employers to secure that employer attachment for the future,” said Brown.

The program, approved by the P.E.I. Apprenticeship Board, will be monitored and evaluated by program staff over the next year. This program aligns well with the current apprenticeship efforts of the Atlantic and National Harmonization Projects.

For more information on how to enroll in this pilot program, contact Ken MacDougall 902-888-8034, kdmacdougall@gov.pe.ca or Alan Large at 902-368-4464, amlarge@gov.pe.ca

BRIAN MCINNIS/THE GUARDIAN Jennifer Harkness, developement co-ordinator with the P.E.I. Humane Society, was at a recent Greater Charlottetown and Area Chamber of Commerce business mixer to promote National Cupcake Day Feb. 29. All proceeds from the event go to the humane...