Employment Journey Blog

Being active in your community looks good on your resumé

Monday, February 22, 2010, 03:00 PM
Posted by Employment Journey Blog

by Stacy Dunn, Employment Journey Researcher

Look at your own resumé. Have you listed your achievements in sport, the arts and in your community, school or work? I like to read Employee Announcements in the local newspaper because they list his or her activities at work and outside of work. I get the sense that the employer is quite proud of that employee’s well-rounded life. These achievements may have led to that person getting the job or a promotion.

It’s a good icebreaker in an interview, job fair or business mixer to mention your achievements. Don’t be shy; practice your “achievements speech” with family, friends, teachers or counsellors.

Listen to the Canadian athletes who just did well at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver. Notice the tone in their voices and look on their faces when they describe their experiences.

E-mail us at employ@pei.aibn.com with any other tips on listing achievements on a resumé or in an interview. We always like to hear from you.

  News You Can Use

Rural Action Plan coming into effect

In January, the provincial government announced its Rural Action Plan . The plan lists the following initiatives: economic and community development, protection of the environment and human resource development. Among the actions coming from these initiatives are the following:

• establishing three Rural Action Centres as a single source of information and resources for businesses
• a community economic development investment fund
• support for regional tourism associations .

Several actions are now underway such as improving high-speed Internet service, developing a five-point lobster plan and finding new directions for the agriculture industry. The Rural Action Plan will be applied to all provincial government departments over the next five years. It was formed following extensive consultations with more than 1,200 Islanders representing all sectors of the rural economy.

For more information on the Rural Action Plan, go to http://www.gov.pe.ca/photos/original/FARD_REDS.pdf

Research and development projects benefit from $12.3 million

Seven projects received funding from the Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF) . The money will boost research and development right here on the Island. The seven projects selected for funding include:
• Chemaphor Inc.
• Timeless Technologies (2007) Inc.
• Nature’s Crops International Limited.
• LISI Therapeutics Inc.
• UPEI/ Atlantic Veterinary College
• UPEI - Discovery Space
• Atlantic Veterinary College - Veterinary Laboratory Quality Assurance Program Expansion

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency oversees the fund. For more information, go to http://mediaroom.acoa-apeca.gc.ca/e/med ... shtml?4653 and
http://www.peibioalliance.com

Innovation PEI Pilot Fund announces funding

The Innovation PEI Pilot Fund recently announced Round II of supporting research and development projects on PEI. The program is designed to grant seed money to entrepreneurs and scientists who are testing products for potential use in the marketplace.

The following organizations, businesses and institutions will be offered funding:
• iWave Information Systems Inc.
• Atlantic Canada Energy Corporation
• Atlantic Veterinary College
• Malpeque Bay Area Developments Inc.
• Moving Ideas Group Inc.
• Natures Crops International Limited
• NRC-Institute of Nutrisciences and Health - 4 projects
• Prince Edward Aqua Farms Inc.
• PEI Organic Fruit and Berries Ltd.
• Shared Solution Inc.
• Telos International Inc.
• University of Prince Edward Island
• UPEI and AvantiCell Science

For more information on the Innovation PEI Pilot Fund, go to www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6789&lang=E

Regis Duffy BioScience Fund

The Regis Duffy BioScience Fund recently announced a call for Statements of Interest. Applicants interested in submitting a statement of interest will be evaluated on the basis of their suitability within the Fund’s mandate, selection criteria and the quality of technology, marketing and business capabilities.

The $1 million fund was established in 2009 to invest in bioscience-related activities created on PEI. It’s named after Dr. Regis Duffy, who is recognized for his contributions to science and business within the province.

For more information, go to www.duffybioscience.com

Lobster industry gets a boost

In February, the Canadian lobster industry received $417,000 to develop a marketing strategy that will lead to long-term solutions to the downturn in the lobster industry. Partners include the governments of Canada, the four Atlantic provinces and Quebec, the newly-formed Lobster Council of Canada, and UPEI. The funding will go to identifying new markets, developing solutions to the global downturn in the economy, and generating growth opportunities. UPEI’s Lobster Science Centre will offer its expertise and research.

For more information, visit http://www.gov.pe.ca/news/getrelease.php3?number=935

Funding supports Atlantic Canada’s Aquaculture industries

The Aquaculture Innovation and Market Access Program aims to boost aquaculture through innovative technologies and enhancing global competitiveness and environmental performance.

Four PEI companies were given support:
• PEI Mussell Farms Inc. - Morell
• PEI Aquaculture Alliance
• Coles Mussel Farms - Kensington
• Halibut PEI

For more information, visit http://www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?nu ... amp;lang=E

Visitor’s Guide can be a job search resource

The new PEI Visitor’s Guide has been released. It is a great way to check out tourism businesses across the Island. If you are looking for a job in tourism, pick up a copy or visit www.gentleisland.com

Wellness Centre and Library opens in Montague

The Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre and Montague Rotary Library officially opened in February. The 43,670 square foot complex includes a 520-seat arena, community space, meeting rooms, offices, kitchen facilities, two indoor walking tracks and a large lobby.

The new 3,000 square foot library includes space for literary activities and recreation. The complex is located next to the location of the new Montague High School which is currently under constructionFor more information, go to http://www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?nu ... amp;lang=E

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New year, new decade -- maybe a new direction in your job search or career plans?

Monday, January 25, 2010, 10:00 AM
Posted by Employment Journey Blog

by Stacy Dunn, Researcher, The Employment Journey

Happy New Year! It’s hard to believe that 2010 is here. Remember the year 2000, or Y2K? Many new IT jobs were created to address the possibility that computers worldwide would crash on January 1, 2000. Fortunately, the IT sector was so well prepared and no major computer errors were reported that year.

On PEI, the IT sector is quite active as it works within several organizations:
- Innovation and Technology Sector Council www.itsc.ca
- Innovation and Technology Association of PEI www.itap.ca
- Interactive Media Alliance www.imapei.com
Do you know what the difference is between a Computer Engineer and a Computer Programmer? The Innovation and Technology Sector Council’s new career booklet will tell you. Visit www.itsc.ca/files/ITSC_Recruit_Booklet_web.pdf.

The Employment Journey looks forward to bring you new success stories and profiles of jobs in demand on PEI for 2010. We always appreciate your feedback and story ideas.
E-mail us at employ@pei.aibn.com.

News You Can Use:

Province’s stimulus plans remain strong through 2010

Provincial Treasurer Wes Sheridan recently revealed the details of the One Island – Working Together 2010-2011 Capital Estimates which will allow for the creation of 1,625 jobs. The budget will also generate new tax revenues of $11.4 million and an improvement to the Provincial GDP of $62 million.

This is a continuation of the 2009 Capital Budget which outlines the government’s plan to stimulate the Island economy. The plan continues the stimulus budget introduced last fall to create jobs and replace aging infrastructure. The Stimulus Capital Budget plan is expected to continue until the 2012-2013 fiscal year when the Province will return to normal spending levels.

The Provincial Treasurer noted that while improvements to transportation and public works continue, health and education are priority areas. The Capital Plan will provide $136.7 million in infrastructure for the healthcare system towards:

- Completion of Phase 1 of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital project
- Replacement of the Prince Edward Home and Summerset, Colville and Maplewood Manors
- Renovations to the Margaret Stewart Ellis Home in O’Leary will be completed
- Replacement of the Riverview Manor will begin

Other projects:
- $229 million over the next five years towards 700 kilometres of highway and 35 bridges.
- A further investment of $12 million in the BioCommons Research Park
- $6.5 million allocated for a Provincial Emergency Radio System
- $400,000 for modernizing provincial libraries
- $12.3 million for new school buses .
- School construction and capital improvements will be completed at Three Oaks, Francois-Buote and Souris schools in addition to the Glen Stewart and Westwood renovations announced this year.
- During 2010-11, construction will be completed at Elm Street, Montague High, Montague Intermediate and Ecole Saint-Augustin .

For more information on the Capital Budget, go to www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6727&lang=E

New fish plant to create up to 80 jobs

Lennox Island is setting up a new lobster and fish processing plant this spring. Between 50 and 80 jobs will be created. Off-reserve natives, Abegweit First Nations members and non-native Islanders are welcome to apply for jobs alongside people from Lennox Island. Minigoo Fisheries Inc. will be the first fish plant owned and operated by a First Nation in Atlantic Canada.

Lennox Island Chief Darlene Bernard said the fish plant will provide good training and growth opportunities for workers. For more on this story, go to http://peicanada.com/west_prince_graphi ... ief_berna.

NSERC develops new partnership strategy

The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) has developed a new strategy to make it easier for Canadian universities and businesses to establish research partnerships. It aims to achieve the following goals:
-build bridges between industry and educational institutions with new programs and
- allow for an easier collaboration with minimal roadblocks
develop resources to speed up research and development in key areas.

NSERC says this new commitment to partnership will see businesses access the expertise of scientists for new innovations that Canadians can benefit from.

For more information, go to www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/Media-Media/NewsRelease-CommuniqueDePresse_eng.asp?ID=170.

PERCÉ Program holds information sessions
In December, university and college students under the age of 30 attended information sessions on the PERCÉ Program . The program consists of two parts: an orientation week where participants learn their professional and personal strengths and a 10- to 12- week paid summer work placement that relates to the students’ studies.

PERCÉ has helped participants to:
- secure a full-time job on PEI after completing their studies,
- gather contacts for an eventual job, and
- access higher levels of studies.
The PERCÉ Program has a Facebook page and its own website at http://www.percepe.ca/home.cfm

College changes name to reflect diversity of its programs
CompuCollege has changed its name to Eastern College to show that the college offers more than computer training. The campus in Charlottetown offers diploma programs in
Child and Youth Care Worker, Criminology, Resident Care Worker, and Pharmacy Technician along with its IT, Business and Office Administration programs.

Charlottetown is one of seven Eastern College locations across Atlantic Canada. In its 20-year history, the college has grown to offer more than 40 diploma programs and has put more than 20,000 graduates into the growing workforce in the region.

For more information, visit www.easterncollege.ca

Young farmers, farm worker honoured for outstanding contributions

Tania and Greg MacKenzie of Stratford were named Canada’s Outstanding Young Farmers for 2009. They own and operate MacKenzie Produce, a 115-acre cole crop vegetable farm. Cabbage is their main crop. They have more than three million pounds in storage, and it is marketed all year round.

In a recent news story, Greg credited his success to being an expert in so many things, especially technology and human resources. He said that he has seen a slight increase of younger farmers on PEI. As for the challenges farmers face, Greg said a lot of “sweat equity”, passion and belief in farming is needed to get by.

Fore more on Tania and Greg MacKenzie, go to http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm? ... &sc=98

The Outstanding Young Farmer program was founded in 1979 by the Canadian Junior Chamber/Jay-cees and is open to farmers or couples aged 18 to 39 who derive at least two-thirds of their income from farming operations.

Learn more about the Outstanding Young Farmer program at http://oyfatlantic.ca/

Nazaire Arsenault of Central Bedeque was presented with the inaugural Farm Worker of the Year Award by the Department of Agriculture. The new award recognizes individual farm workers for their long-time service and dedication to the industry. Nazaire has worked at Greenfield Farms for the past 68 years. He began working for John Green in 1941 and has literally grown up with the many changes in the operation over the years. Nazaire is described by the Greens as not just an employee, but more like a member of the family.

Read more about Nazaire and the Farm Worker of the Year Award at www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6721&lang=E

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Time for reflection on 2009

Monday, November 23, 2009, 02:30 PM
Posted by Employment Journey Blog

by Stacy Dunn, Employment Journey Researcher

The end of the first decade of the 21st century is in sight. At the beginning of the 2000s, did you imagine bioscience, information technology, aerospace and renewable energy to emerge as PEI’s hot new industries? On the other hand, did you imagine the economic slump that has affected some sectors on PEI of late?

Workers in these sectors may have to face the real possibility of changing careers or taking a training program to upgrade their skills. The Employment Journey talks with employment assistance agencies all the time to see what’s new in training or job search courses. We even talk with Islanders who have made the move to a new career.

Read Georgetown brothers Gordon and Carter Gotell’s story in our March/April 2009 issue. http://www.employmentjourney.com/archives/EJApr09_7.pdf

It is a challenge that can be overcome. What are your thoughts on changing careers? E-mail us at employ@pei.aibn.com

PEI economy to recover slowly, experts say

Recently, economists with the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council (APEC) said PEI will slowly recover from this current recession. By mid to late 2010, the Island’s economy will grow a modest 1.5 percent and employment will rise 0.7 percent. The bioscience, IT, renewable energy and aerospace sectors will see growth in the global market. The economists say that self employment is strong on PEI – about 13 percent of the Island’s workforce.

APEC President and CEO Elizabeth Beale said her non-governmental organization is in favour of more education and training on PEI. She noted that because 43 percent of adult Islanders do not have sufficient literacy skills, they may face a roadblock to training. This figure is similar to the national average as identified in the 2003 International Adult Literacy and Skills Survey.

Another surprising number is PEI’s job growth. This province’s growth from July 2008 to July 2009 is higher than the other Atlantic provinces. The Island is considered to be in the “middle of the pack” with respect to job growth among Canadian provinces.
Read economist Jim Follwell’s explanation of job growth in our September/October 2009 issue at http://www.employmentjourney.com/PDF_is ... Sept09.pdf

To learn more about APEC, go to www.apec-econ.ca .

To learn more about literacy, go to www.pei.literacy.ca .

Another Canadian dollar hike hurts PEI business

Although it showed good growth between 2002 and 2006, Charlottetown-based Cabinetmaster Architectural Woodworking Ltd. closed its doors in November. The high Canadian dollar and tough times in the U.S., one of Cabinetmaster’s biggest customers, explain the company’s downturn.

In 2005, Cabinetmaster expanded to a second plant in Charlottetown. A 2,250 square metre plant was built in Montague in 2006. That year, the company reached peak employment at about 105, up from 10 employees at the time the business was acquired in 2002. However, Cabinetmaster was forced to close the Montague plant one year ago and entered 2009 with just 50 employees. Less than 20 remained at the time of the closure.
Find out more at
http://www.dailybusinessbuzz.ca/2009/11 ... lose-doors

Best of PEI closes two stores

The Best of PEI Market and Best of PEI Store closed in late October. The stores had 35 full- and part-time staff members. Co-owner Bev MacArthur cited competition with bigger supermarkets as the reason for the closures. The Best of PEI Market, which opened in June 2008, had a bakery, lunch bar and butcher's counter. The Best of PEI Store on Victoria Row in Charlottetown, which opened in May 2007, featured crafts, music and giftware. The goal of both shops was to sell products made in PEI.
Find out more at http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm? ... &sc=98

Local IT business to boost tourism

Plans are in the works to use a high-tech marketing tool to attract new visitors to PEI. Tourism PEI has partnered with ScreenScape , a leader in Internet-based multi-faceted marketing. ScreenScape-powered screen displays are currently used in venues throughout the world. Visitor Information Centers will be the first to use this technology on PEI.

The company was founded in Charlottetown in 2007 and now has a presence in more than a dozen countries worldwide. It promises to pave the way for a range of innovative and cost-effective marketing initiatives on PEI. In the Visitor Information Centres, screens will alert tourists to events, festivals, local tourism operations and special promotions.
Find out more at [url=http://www.dailybusinessbuzz.ca/2009/11/02/pe-cutting-edge-technology-to-boost-tourism/]www.dailybusinessbuzz.ca/2009/11/02/pe-cutting-edge-technology-to-boost-tourism/[/url]

Home Care Pilot Project extended

The Integrated Palliative Care Program’s Home Care Drug Pilot Project is getting an additional $750,000 to continue cost and delivery coverage. The project, which is for patients who need end of life care, aims to improve access to trained, qualified health care teams.

Staff who are trained in end of life or palliative care work closely with the patient’s family and caregivers. The palliative health care team consists of a pharmacist, nurse, occupational therapist, home support worker, social worker, dietician, physiotherapist, community support worker and hospice volunteers .
Find out more at http://www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?nu ... amp;lang=E

Licensed Practical Nursing Association has a new website

The Licensed Practical Nurses Association of PEI is preparing a new website to help Islanders learn more about the practical nursing profession. Prospects for employment are excellent. The average age of LPNs and RNs is now 44. Within the next 10 years on PEI, about 50 percent of LPNs and RNs are expected to retire.
Find out more at www.lpna.ca .

O’Leary Community Centre upgrade underway

Through the PEI government’s Island Community Fund, the O’Leary Community Centre is receiving upgrades to its plumbing and electrical systems and new insulation, doors and lighting. The province has contributed $38,850 towards the $92,500 project.

The Island Community Fund represents a provincial investment of $27.5 million towards the infrastructure needs of PEI communities. The Island Community Fund is just one component of the over $80 million the province is investing in infrastructure. Read more at
www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6676&lang=E .

Have your say on minimum wage

The Prince Edward Island Employment Standards Board is inviting Islanders to present written submissions for consideration during the annual review of the provincial minimum wage. The minimum wage on PEI increased to $8.40 per hour on October 1. Deadline for written submissions is December 9. Submissions may be sent to Hazel Walsh, Employment Standards Board, PO Box 2000, 161 St. Peter’s Road, Charlottetown, PE C1A 7N8, by fax to (902) 368-5476 or by e-mail to hawalsh@gov.pe.ca.

More information on employment standards or the Employment Standards Board can be found at www.gov.pe.ca/cca or www.gov.pe.ca/law/statutes/pdf/e-06_2.pdf

Self employed to get EI benefits

The federal government has introduced the Fairness for the Self Employed Act that will allow the self employed to opt into the federal Employment Insurance plan and collect benefits currently available only to wage-earners and salaried workers.

The new legislation will extend maternity, parental, adoption, medical and compassionate-care benefits to self employed workers. Self employed workers can sign up for the plan beginning January 1, 2010, and can start claiming benefits one year later. Read more at http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do?nid=493319

New technology to expand product lines at ADL

Amalgamated Dairies Limited has received funding to invest in technology that will expand its product line. The new reverse osmosis equipment will further process whey, a byproduct of cheese making.

Last year, ADL installed equipment that processed whey to produce Whey Protein Concentrate. The new technology to be installed will collect the remaining lactose from the whey, which will then be added to animal feed and other potential products.

ADL is PEI’s largest processor of dairy products. ADL produces nearly seven million kilograms of cheese and generates 50 to 60 million liters of whey per year.

For more on this story, go to http://news.gc.ca/web/article-eng.do;js ... p;nwsb=reg

Souris High School Career Day

Late fall is the time for Career Days for PEI high schools. Souris High School students participating in Career Day include from the top (standing) Emily Townshend, Emily MacDonald, Danielle Mahar, Sasha Bruce, Brittany Peters, Anne Peters (School Counsellor)
Seated: Row 1: Brett Whalen, Marcy Lesperance, Caitlyn Brink
Row 2: Amber Nowlan, Erica Roche , Johna Spencer, Dora Malone
Row 3: Chelsey Acorn, Erika MacDonald, Kaitlin MacIntyre, Danielle Peters
Row 4: Sam Llewellyn

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Harvest time – A good time to take stock of jobs on PEI

Wednesday, October 21, 2009, 09:20 AM
Posted by Employment Journey Blog

by Stacy Dunn, Employment Journey Researcher

The job search is a lot like growing crops. Your ideas of what you want in a job or career are like the seeds. As the seeds make contact with the ground, rain and sun, your ideas make contact with people, newspapers and other job search resources. This help leads to successful growth.
At The Employment Journey , we are like the almanac of facts and figures to help you find out more about job prospects now and in the future.

The job climate on PEI is good at this time of year. The articles below will help you decide how to plough through the field of job searching or career planning. Feel free to contact us with your comments at employ@pei.aibn.com .

Third Edition of the Career Profile Handbook is now available

You can find PEI-based job information about more than 130 careers in the third edition of the Career Profile Handbook . Please see The Employment Journey homepage for a direct link. The new booklet now has more information on jobs available in the health care sector.

For more about the Career Profile Handbook, go to: http://www.gov.pe.ca/news/getrelease.php3?number=6553

Canada’s Smartest Kitchen

Holland College’s Culinary Institute of Canada and Cavendish Farms recently announced the official opening of Canada’s Smartest Kitchen. The facility will work with chefs, scientists and the food processing industry to cater to Canadians’ changing tastes in the processed food market. Canadians purchase more than $60 billion annually in processed food. The Holland College Tourism and Culinary Centre will also house The Cavendish Farms Culinary Creation Centre. Its sole purpose is researching, developing and testing products for the company’s food line. For more information, go to: http://www.hollandcollege.com/applied_r ... itchen.php

The Business of Vet Medicine Conference

Over 100 animal health and nutrition companies descended on Charlottetown in October for VetHealth Global 2009 – The Animal Health & Nutrition Business Conference. PEI BioAlliance and Invest PEI hosted the second annual conference. It was an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the PEI Bioscience Cluster’s growing business and research capabilities in veterinary health and nutrition products.See what the conference is all about at www.vethealthglobal.com/about.php.
Visit the PEI BioAlliance website www.peibioallance.com for news and upcoming events in PEI’s Bioscience sector.

PEI lab developing new cholesterol-reducing technology

Researchers at the National Research Council Institute of Nutrisciences and Health in Charlottetown are helping to lower bad cholesterol levels by combining natural botanical extracts. This original idea may make it easier for Canadians to manage obesity, diabetes, and high fat levels in the blood. Vancouver-based Omnia Foods Ltd. has acquired the North American rights to this technology. The NRC-INH provides a space for companies, government, and universities to network, invest and bring innovative technologies to market. This is an example of how the research work done right here on PEI can affect the world.
Learn more about it at www.peibioalliance.com/files/20090925_NRC-INH_Omnia.pdf

Summerside welcomes new IT company

Global IT company Millennium Care has come to Summerside. People are currently being recruited for 30 positions at the Summerside office. Successful candidates will be trained to deliver support to the company’s clients in 80 countries. The company has been successful in building teams that resolve and manage IT issues using state-of-the-art software and facilities.
Read more about Millennium Care at
www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6548&lang=

Innovation and Advanced Learning Minister Alan Campbell, centre, chats with Perry Marshall, right, president of Millennium Care Inc. and Rudy Smith, president of the Greater Summerside Chamber of Commerce.

Contact centre will bring jobs to Bedeque

It was announced in September that Virtual Agent Services will set up a location in Central Bedeque. As many as 50 new jobs could be created. This in-bound contact centre provides services for the telecommunications, tourism, accommodations, and retail sector.
Find out more about Virtual Agent Services at www.vagent.com
Check the news release at http://www.gov.pe.ca/news/getrelease.php3?number=6525] http://www.gov.pe.ca/news/getrelease.php3?number=6525[/url]

Early Childhood Educators get accelerated training

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is addressing the growing shortage of early childhood educators by offering an accelerated training program. Holland College centres in Summerside and Charlottetown and Collège Acadie in Wellington will offer a one-year diploma program to current non-certified staff in licensed early childhood centre. The new program offers an opportunity to finish the program in one year rather than two, and will provide tuition through funding by SkillsPEI Minister Greenan said the new program will help to address the growing shortage of early childhood educators that is occurring on PEI and across the country. For more on this story, visit
http://www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?nu ... amp;lang=E

John J. Sark Memorial Scholarship announced

Aboriginal students attending UPEI can now apply for the John J. Sark Memorial Scholarship. Islander John James Sark earned a post-secondary education at UPEI’s predecessor St. Dunstan’s College and was PEI’s first Mi’kmaq teacher.

Three scholarships of $1,000 each will be awarded to students enrolled in a full-time undergraduate studies program. For more information, go to
[url=http://www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6547&lang=E]www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6547&lang=E[/url]

Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour, Carolyn Bertram, left, UPEI President Wade MacLauchlan and Amanda Malley a Member of the UPEI Aboriginal Student Association, look over the guidelines for the new John J. Sark Memorial Scholarships.

Red meat sector announces working group

The PEI Agriculture Department and its federal counterpart are setting up a working group with red meat industry representatives to discuss program options for the present and future. They will also talk about how to use the new Agriculture Flexibility Fund. For more information, go to www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6588&lang=E

Rural Development Strategy wants your say

The Department of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Rural Development is taking its rural development strategy on-line. Islanders are encouraged to fill on an on-line survey at www3.gov.pe.ca/survey/index.php?sid=66958&lang=en .
The survey is part of the department’s ongoing efforts this year to consult with individuals and groups who work and live in rural PEI. Learn more about the rural development strategy at:
http://www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?nu ... amp;lang=E

Firefighters look to more space, training and personnel

Attendants to the recent Fire Fighters Association’s Annual Meeting and Trade Show learned that the PEI government is giving $150,000 towards training. The money, which comes from the Island Community Fund, will make improvements to their apparatus building to house fire trucks and to serve as a training facility for fire fighters and hazardous materials response team. Read more about it at
www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6584&lang=E
Back in September, volunteer firefighters from Charlottetown, North River and Crossroads climbed to the roof of the Atlantic Technology Centre in downtown Charlottetown for Heroes in the Sky. It was a national initiative to raise awareness of the need for more volunteer firefighters and to raise money. Learn more about it at
www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=276077&sc=98

Tignish restoring Post Office

Tignish Initiatives Corporation is restoring the Tignish Post Office, a designated heritage site. The non-profit community development agency, with funding help from the federal and PEI governments, will take over the 98-year-old post office in an effort to boost Tignish’s economy.
For more information on the plans for the post office, see
www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6545&lang=E

Wind Energy in Kensington

The Town of Kensington is getting into the renewable energy sector by installing a wind turbine for the local wastewater treatment plant. It’s the first of its kind in Canada and officials from the three levels of government say this initiative places Kensington at the hub of alternative energy education. Learn more about Kensington’s wind energy plans at
www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6546&lang=E

New building, new site for Maplewood Manor

The Department of Health is moving up plans to build a new Maplewood Manor in Alberton on the property of the existing manor. Slated to begin construction in 2013, the manor will undergo a replacement plan in the coming months to address much-needed upgrades. Maplewood Manor is part of government’s Healthy Aging Strategy that is looking to improve services to seniors on PEI. Read more about it at
www.gov.pe.ca/news/index.php3?number=news&dept=&newsnumber=6560&lang=E

Workplace literacy is a priority

In September, the Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training released a report on childhood and adult literacy. Regarding workplace literacy, the council wants to increase awareness of the essential skills for learning, to eliminate any barriers learners have and to improve quality standards and guidelines for learners and adult literacy teachers Read the report at http://camet-camef.ca/images/eng/docs/L ... arning.pdf .

PEI population boom

Statistics Canada says PEI’s population grew by 739 people, or .53 percent this past spring. Newcomers from overseas explains the sharp increase. PEI has outpaced the other Atlantic Canadian provinces this year in population. The number of people on PEI is 140,985. To compare our numbers to the rest of Canada, go to:
http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidie ... 9b-eng.htm

The library is praised as a great job resource

Did you know that October is Canadian Library Month? To celebrate, Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour Minister Carolyn Bertram praised the PEI public library system for providing Islanders with job resources and literacy and computer skills. She said libraries are helping people find jobs. Read more about it at www.gov.pe.ca/news/getrelease.php3?number=6579 . To find a library in our area, click http://www.gov.pe.ca/cca/index.php3?num ... amp;lang=E

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PEI gets the gold for hosting 2009 Canada Summer Games

Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 08:53 AM
Posted by Employment Journey Blog

by Stacy Dunn

What did you do for summer vacation? I was among 6,000 people who volunteered at the 2009 Canada Summer Games. I had a lot of fun during Week 2 in Charlottetown at the Pin Trading Centre.

I have a new appreciation for workers in the retail, service and hospitality sectors. I was told to ask people questions such as "Who are you here to see?" It was a joy to see their faces light up when they said they were here for their son, daughter or grandchild. I learned that small talk is a good skill to have in the workplace. Besides leading to increased productivity or sales, small talk means you genuinely care about the other person.

The Employment Journey's own Gloria Welton was at the Games cheering on her son Kyle. He played on the PEI men's basketball team. See what Gloria's eye caught during the Opening Ceremonies and Kyle's first game.

These pictures also incidate the wonderful experience people such as athletes and volunteers must have had.

Medal Hope Fulfilled

Kurt McCormack, left, of Souris who captured the bronze medal in the Triple Jump and Coach and Olympic gold medalist Dave MacEachern speak to the media before the Opening Ceremonies.

The Teams

Kyle, left, and his team walk to the sounds of cheer and applause. PEI Men's Basketball Team Manager Gary MacLeod, right, and Coach Jared Cheverie, far right, walk with their players.