2025 Employment planning guide for students, youth, and graduates

by Ethan Paquet

Career planning is a process that takes time and effort. Getting a head start on planning helps students, youth, and recent graduates explore their options, set and meet their goals, and ensure they are ready when the time comes to meet with employers and apply for summer jobs or part-time or full-time work. Here are some opportunities you can take advantage of now to help kick start your career planning:

Employment programs and services help bridge the gaps to employment. These programs and services offer numerous resources, information, and skills development opportunities as you take steps to connect with employers. They also provide ongoing support with resumé and cover letter help, job interview preparation, job search support, and more.

The following programs and services offer support in many areas of job search and career planning on a year-round basis:

• Abilities@Work supports job seekers with disabilities and PEI employers through a wage subsidy program. Their Employment Services and Counselling program is a comprehensive program that assists job seekers with disabilities with the goal of securing employment and promoting employment inclusion.

  Visit

• The Construction Association of PEI’s offers training programs such as as Youth In Trades, Skilled Newcomers in Construction Program, and Discover Carpentry. Upcoming programs are advertised at and on social media.

  For more information, call 902-394-3361 or email [email protected]

• The Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI’s Employment Services provides employment-based programs and services to all Indigenous people living on PEI, including Status and non-Status First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples residing on and off reserve. They partner with key players including valuable employers, training institutions and government departments to develop and roll out meaningful initiatives that are interesting, age-related, and support hands-on career exploration experiences, job opportunities, education and training choices.

  Visit www.mcpei.ca or check job listings at www.facebook.com/mcpeiemploymentservices

• The Native Council of PEI’s Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) program offers career guidance such as resumé and cover letter support and coaching through interview tips and techniques. They also provide funding for training suitable for industry and trade careers such as First Aid, WHMIS, Flagger Certification, Fall Safety, Marine Safety, and more.

  A complete list of the programs and services offered can be found at www.ncpei.com

• PEI Connectors helps Newcomers to PEI overcome challenges they may face due to unfamiliarity with the local business environment and a lack of professional connections by connecting them with their network of volunteer connectors, which include mentors, business leaders, community partners, and other supporters.

  For more information, contact Elmira Moghimi, Program Officer, at 902-628-2000 ext. 257 or visit www.peiconnectors.ca

• PEI Reach Foundation provides a safe, secure environment for youth with mental health and addiction challenges who have completed a treatment program as they transition through recovery to the workforce or back to school.

  Call 902-620-0000, email [email protected], or visit www.reachfoundation.ca

• ResourceAbilities offers assistance with career decision making, career counselling, skills enhancement, and job search techniques, including resumé and cover letter writing and interview preparation to people with disabilities. Career assessments and career exploration, along with job matching, are also provided.

  Contact Mark Cameron, Employment Services Manager, at 902-892-9149 ext. 226 or [email protected]. Visit www.resourceabilities.ca

• Workplace Learning’s Workplace Essential Skills is a 20-week program that runs between October and April each year in Charlottetown, Summerside, and Lennox Island. This program helps adults in need of support in getting a high school equivalency (CAEC), passing a Canadian Red Seal test (Challenger), preparing for other industry certifications (TOWES), or upskilling for workplace or career goals.

  Contact WES Program Manager Lori Johnston at 902-368-6498 or [email protected]. Visit

The Employment Journey’s PEI job opportunities page can help you find most of the job posting websites advertising summer jobs or part-time and full-time positions on the Island. It also features the following opportunities and information specifically for students, youth, and recent graduates:

• Healthcare facilities across PEI offer summer employment opportunities for nursing students to work in the public healthcare sector and in fully licensed private long-term care facilities. Students have the opportunity to gain meaningful nursing work experience while contributing to our health care system and services.

  Visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/nursing-student-summer-employment-program-student-application

• The Government of PEI Internship Program is a one-year temporary job assignment that provides various learning and development opportunities including workshops, networking, and more to help support interns in growing their skills and knowledge of government.

  The next assignment will start in May 2025.

  Visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/government-of-pei-internship-program#utm_source=redirect&utm_medium=url&utm_campaign=internship

• BioTalent Canada’s Student Work Placement Programs offer paid internships and work-integrated learning within fields such as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), Healthcare, and Business.

  The deadline to apply is February 28th, 2025.

  Visit www.biotalent.ca/programs/student-work-placement-program

• The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) offers about 100 trades and professions across the Army, Navy, and Air Force, with trade schools for most occupations. They also provide fully funded university and college education in some cases. The Reserves program is designed for students or those with full-time jobs, requiring one night a week and one Saturday a month, plus guaranteed full-time summer employment for the first four years. Visit www.forces.ca

• PERCÉ ÎPÉ helps bilingual PEI students find summer employment in their field of study on PEI. The program accepts grade 12 students heading into their first year of post-secondary as well as students who are already enrolled in a post-secondary institution. Priority is given to bilingual students. However, all students are encouraged to apply.

  Call 902-432-2026 or email [email protected]. Visit www.percepe.ca.

• SkillsPEI’s Graduate Mentorship Program helps recent post-secondary graduates develop new skills and gain work experience in their field of study through on-the-job training.

  Visit www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/service/graduate-mentorship-program-for-job-seekers

• Team Food Island offers students the chance to earn a bonus toward their post-secondary education while working for participating agriculture, aquaculture, or seafood companies. Students in grades 10 to12 can earn a $1,000 bonus for completing at least 250 work hours, while post-secondary students receive a $2,000 bonus for 500 hours (or 250 hours for grade 12 graduates).

  Visit www.teamfoodisland.ca

• WILWorks Youth in Manufacturing provides valuable work experience for those interested in working in the manufacturing industry. Participants have the opportunity to build their network and gain work experience, while earning microcredentials that can be used to enhance their resumé.

  Visit

Exploring the possibilities in various industries on PEI

If you want further information about a particular industry, there are contacts in the community who can help you become more aware of your options in each industry.

Here is a list of industry representatives:

Construction Association of PEI – To talk with a Human Resource representative in this field, call 902-368-3303. Visit www.capei.ca and www.IslandBuilder.ca

Creative PEI – To explore careers in this industry, contact Mark Sandiford, Executive Director, CreativePEI. Call 902-367-3844 or email [email protected]. Visit www.creativepei.ca

PEI Agriculture Sector Council – To explore career options in agriculture on PEI, call 902–892-2591 or email [email protected]. Visit www.peiagsc.ca

PEI BioAlliance– To explore careers in Bioscience, contact Vivian Beer at 902-367-4400 or email [email protected]. Visit www.peibioalliance.com

PEI Trucking Sector Council – To explore careers in trucking, call 902-566-5563 or email [email protected] . Visit www.peitsc.ca

Tourism Industry Association of PEI – To explore careers in tourism, call 902–566–5008. Visit www.tiapei.pe.ca and www.choosetourism.ca for lists of resources for employers, training and education, a job board, and more.

There are many more industries on PEI. To explore your choices further, click here

Volunteering can help you explore your career options on PEI

Volunteering is a wonderful way to give back to the community as you explore your career pathways. For a list of various volunteer options and contacts, click here

Career planning is a life-long journey. While you may find it frustrating, confusing, or discouraging, our top tips to successfully plan a career path and search for work on PEI in 2025 can help keep you on track to finding success.